Palau’s Alii Pass, an award-wining cultural tourism program, sets sustainable community preservation in motion

Koror/Munich, February 7th, 2020 – Palau Visitors Authority launched two cultural activities called “Experience Airai” and “Dusk at Todai”. They mark the first experiences of a larger project, the Alii Pass. The pass aims to diversify tourism and introduce travellers to Palauan culture, the local community, and environment—with sustainability and ecotourism at its core.

Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) is convinced that activities like Experience Airai and Dusk at Todai are firmly lacking in today’s travel itineraries of guests visiting Palau. Both tours cover the history and cultural importance of key historical sites and conclude with an exceptional traditional style buffet. Moreover, as President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. declared this year’s theme as “Year of Environmental Action”, PVA has demonstrated great strides in support of this by claiming these tours as plastic-free zones.

“Experience Airai”, located in Ordomel, Airai, takes visitors to three significant historical landmarks and structures, beginning at the Chief’s traditional meeting house, called Bai ra Rengara Irrai — the only original Chief’s traditional meeting house left on the island. The tour lasts for an hour and takes places every Thursday. A traditional style lunch buffet prepared by the local villagers concludes the tour. “Dusk at Todai”, a monthly dinner show in Ngarchelong State is set at the old Japanese Lighthouse. Situated on a hilltop, it affords visitors with a stunning panoramic view of the ocean. WWII remnants are spread throughout the historic site and tell the story of the past. The monthly event introduces visitors to Palau’s many facets — its food, history, and culture. It is inclusive of a dinner buffet of local delicacies, traditional dance performances, and weaving or wood carving demonstrations.

Within a year, Palau’s efforts to encourage responsible and sustainable tourism received significant recognition. The prestigious Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) awarded “Experience Airai” with the PATA Gold Award for Community Based Tourism.

The Alii Pass program does not only provide excellent and diverse possibilities for visitors. The stream of income supports local communities financially, thereby becoming a sustainable way to preserve Palau’s culture and traditions.

Palau Visitor Authority is looking forward to welcoming members of travel trade and media as well as travellers passionate about environmental protection and responsible tourism to visit the pristine paradise of Palau at ITB Berlin in hall 4.1 at booth no. 250 from March 4-8, 2020.

For appointments please contact Judith Hoppe: palau [at] tourism-unlimited.com

For further information on Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow on social media www.instagram.com/visitpalau or www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/

Photo credit: © Palau Visitors Authority/Davor Rostuhar