For the first time, the Palau Visitors Authority Japan Office (PVA-Japan) conducted an Asiana Airlines Palau Seminar at Sendai, Japan on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the Hotel Metropolitan Sendai.
Aimed at promoting Palau using Asiana Airlines air travel services, this Palau Seminar is in response to the April 1, 2018 suspension of United Airlines Flights from Sendai to Guam. Asiana Airlines will now resume this market, operating daily from Sendai to Incheon (Seoul, Korea), providing a smooth connection to Palau. Delta Airlines also suspended their Tokyo Narita to Palau direct flights on May 6, 2018, leaving a gap in air transportation to Palau.
The nearby Kitaharao region located in Zao Town of Miyagi Prefecture near Sendai holds significant shared meaning for Palau and Japan. Following the Imperial Couple’s visit to Palau on April 2015 to pay their respects to the soldiers lost during World War II, the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited this Kitaharao region on June 17, 2015. The name Kitaharao derives from “Kita no Palau”, meaning “North Palau”. Following the end of World War II, the Japanese residents in Palau retreated to this region, thereby naming it as Kitaharao.
Three years following the Imperial Couple’s well-documented visit to Palau, the Palau Seminar was an excellent opportunity to promote this historical visit and Palau’s beautiful, pristine attractions, such as the Rock Islands to the 41 travel agents and tourism partners that attended. Palau’s shared history with Japan, the Peleliu World War II sites and eco-tourism were also promoted at the event.
Mr. Tsuyoshi Shibamura, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator of the PVA-Japan Office believes that Palau can expect to see an increase in the number of travelers to Palau and is truly appreciative of Asiana Airline’s continued support in promoting Palau as a choice and desirable destination to the Japanese Market.
This Palau Seminar follows the Palau Road Show, which Mr. Shibamura and PVA Managing Director Ms. Stephanie B. Nakamura conducted with participating partners, including the Palau Pacific Resort, Palau Royal Resort, Palasia Hotel Palau, The Cove Resort, Palau Plantation Resort, Belau Tour, Palau Sport, Dolphins Pacific, IMPAC Tours and Ryoma. Following an award-winning participation in the Marine Diving Fair in Tokyo from April 6-8, 2018, the Palau Road Show Team conducted seminars in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka, promoting Palau as “more than a beach” destination, featuring eco-tourism, kayaking and World War II sites. (PR)