Palau’s Tourism Minister Ngirai Tmetuchl has expressed a positive outlook for the country’s tourism industry in 2025, citing promising visitor numbers and expanding flight connections.
According to Tmetuchl, Palau welcomed 56,183 visitors by the end of December 2024, a figure representing 60% of the pre-pandemic visitor arrivals in 2019.
The minister highlighted the impact of Qantas’ weekly flights from Brisbane, which began in December, noting a steady increase in passenger numbers. He also pointed to United Airlines’ plans to expand its routes next summer, including direct flights between Narita, Japan, and Palau.
Tmetuchl revealed that discussions with United Airlines executives are ongoing, with hopes that the carrier will offer twice-weekly flights between Japan and Palau by summer.
“This will open many doors, not just between Japan and Palau. It will connect Palau to the entire United Airlines network, including its Star Alliance partners, offering greater accessibility for visitors,” he said.
Currently, Palau is served by several airlines, with United Airlines operating seven weekly flights—five from Guam and two from the Philippines. Other carriers include China Airlines, which flies three times a week from Taiwan, and Nauru Airlines, which offers one weekly Island Hopper flight from Pohnpei. Qantas operates one weekly flight from Brisbane, while chartered services include Cambodia Airways from Macau and Hong Kong Airlines from Hong Kong.
With an increasing number of flight options and a recovering tourism sector, Tmetuchl expressed confidence that Palau is on track for a robust year ahead in 2025. (By: L.N. Reklai)