Chinese tourists are making a comeback in Palau as the top arrivals.
According to the latest Palau Visitor’s Arrival Statistic report, “China emerged as the frontrunner, contributing 35% of the total arrivals for July 2023.”
The report stated that there were a total of 4,912 visitors in July, registering a 23 percent increase compared to June 2023. The number of July visitors compared to July 2022 increased by 347 percent.
Taiwan arrivals were second with a 24 percent increase, and tourists from US also registered a 24 percent increase.
However, from January to July 2023 arrivals, Taiwan is in the number 1 spot with 6,565 visitors, representing 30% of the total, while the USA/Canada closely follows with 4,881 visitors, constituting 23% of the arrivals.
China has contributed 4,425 visitors in total.
The statistics also show that from January to July, Palau received 21,600 visitors.
PVA said that the availability of direct flights from the top market was a contributing factor to the tourism numbers. “Japan and South Korea account for less than 10% of the arrivals due to the absence of direct flight options from these countries.”
PVA further reported that July saw more scheduled flights into Palau, such as United Airlines arriving seven times a week, five from Guam, and two from the Philippines.
China Airlines; arriving two times a week from Taiwan, Air Niugini; scheduled flight arriving once a week from Australia, Cambodia Airlines: charter flight operating from Macau. Sky Angkor Airlines; charter flight operating from Macau, and Jeju Airlines: charter flight operating from South Korea.