On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) Marketing Team said our final goodbyes to our Kyoto Sangyo University intern, “Rur” Sara Yamaguchi, as she concluded her two-week internship with us.
During her time in Palau, Rur gained valuable firsthand insight into tourism trends, visitor experiences, and destination marketing strategies specific to the Japanese market. Her internship provided her with opportunities to experience Palau beyond the traditional tourist perspective, while also learning how tourism stakeholders work together to promote Palau as a sustainable and culturally rich destination.
Throughout her stay, Rur explored a variety of Palau’s attractions and experiences, while also contributing to the local community. She participated in the PIF Walk & Pick organized with the Ministry of Human Resources, Culture, Tourism & Development (HRCTD) in Babeldaob and assisted with hosting our Forbes Japan media familiarization guest, alongside Yasuki Shimomura, JICA Expert.
One of the highlights of her internship was putting her experiences into practice. Drawing inspiration from her time in Palau, Rur developed a Japanese-language brochure highlighting Palau’s attractions and experiences, with a special focus on the long-standing friendship and historical relationship between Japan and Palau. Her work provided a meaningful perspective on how Palau’s tourism story can be communicated to Japanese travelers while emphasizing the strong cultural and people-to-people connections shared between our two countries.
The PVA Marketing Team would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Professor Takashi Mita of Kyoto Sangyo University for supporting this valuable internship opportunity and strengthening the relationship between the university and Palau’s tourism industry.
We would also like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Ike Anastacio, Rur’s host parents, for welcoming her into their home and helping make her stay in Palau comfortable, meaningful, and memorable.
Thank you, Rur, for spending these two weeks with the PVA Marketing Team and for sharing your enthusiasm, creativity, and perspective with us. We wish you continued success in your studies and future career—and hope that your time in Palau will remain a special part of your journey.