The Palau Visitors Authority made a remarkable impact at the DEMA Show 2025 on November 11th to the 14th in Orlando, Florida, celebrating Palau’s top honors in the Scuba Diving Magazine 2026 Readers Choice Awards and promoting the destination’s world-class diving appeal within the industry’s premier trade event.
Representing PVA were Sharrise Ngiraked, Strategic Planning Department Manager, and Laurence Ierago, Jr., Digital Marketing Representative I. They were joined in the Palau booth by Karen Dilay, representing Palau Pacific Resort, and Thomas Ronde, representing Carp Island Resort. Palau’s section was proudly located in the Micronesia area of the convention, where esteemed regional partners—including Fish n' Fins (Palau), Manta Ray Bay Resort (Yap), Truk Divers (Chuuk), Kosrae Nautilus Resort (Kosrae), and United Airlines—also participated, highlighting the vibrancy and connectivity of Micronesia’s tourism sector.
Palau Celebrates Top Honors in Scuba Diving Magazine’s 2026 Readers Choice Awards
PVA received the coveted Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards during the DEMA Show, sharing Palau’s impressive recognition among the Pacific, Indian, and Mediterranean region’s elite dive destinations. Palau soared to 1st place in Wall Diving and Health of Marine Environment, confirming its leadership in underwater adventure and marine protection. Additional top-three honors for Big Animal, Advanced Diving, Cave/Cavern & Grotto, and Underwater Photography further attest to Palau’s outstanding variety and appeal for divers of all skill levels.
The Readers Choice Awards, as published in the magazine’s annual edition, are determined by global diving enthusiasts through comprehensive surveys ranking destinations in key categories such as marine life, environmental health, underwater experiences, and value.
Palau’s active participation in DEMA Show 2025 underscores its strategic importance on the world diving stage, enabling direct engagement with international tour operators, industry professionals, and key partners. Through networking, collaboration, and real-time promotion, PVA’s presence amplifies the reputation of Palau’s pristine environment, innovative marine conservation efforts, and diverse tourism offerings.
The DEMA Show provides Palau with unique opportunities to foster new business relationships, enhance visibility, support sustainable tourism growth, and celebrate its continued excellence as acknowledged by the global dive community.
