On May 21, 2025, the Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) team traveled to Taipei to participate in the 2025 Taipei Tourism Expo (TTE), a four-day event that welcomed an impressive 345,005 visitors. Representing Palau were Board Member Leah Asanuma, Managing Director Kadoi Ruluked, Nicole Kiruu Ngirmekur, Marketing Representative, and Laurence Ierago, Jr., State & Community Representative I.
Upon arrival, the delegation launched into a full schedule of early morning meetings with key travel agencies, thoughtfully arranged by the PVA Taiwan office. The agenda soon expanded to include several high-level engagements, notably the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea's Department of General Attraction and Cooperation for Palau's participation in the 2026 World Island Exhibition in Yeosu. A major highlight was the visit of His Excellency Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, to the Palau booth, marking a moment of pride and national representation on the international stage.
The delegation's first meeting was with Set Travel Agency, where Senior Manager Mandy Shih expressed strong interest in the upcoming Beauty & the Beast Cycling Challenge, scheduled for November 23, 2025. Recognizing Taiwan’s growing enthusiasm for sports tourism, Ms. Shih emphasized the potential of marketing Palau through active lifestyle experiences and requested additional information on other major events, including Independence Day (October 1) and the Olechotel Belau Fair.
Next, the team visited PK Travel, where Director Kevin Hsiang warmly welcomed them to an office adorned with a stunning window decal of Palau’s Ngerukeuid Islands conservation area. Mr. Hsiang, who has championed Palau for over two decades, discussed current challenges in promoting the destination—specifically the temporary absence of jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, a key draw for their clients.
The final agency meeting of the day was with Yung Shin Travel. Vice General Manager Pawles Chen and his team demonstrated enthusiastic support for the cycling challenge, having already prepared promotional displays in anticipation of the meeting. They echoed the rising interest in sports/eco tourism and expressed readiness to collaborate on future campaigns.
That evening, the PVA team joined local representatives to complete setup of the Palau booth at the expo venue. The next morning, Managing Director Kadoi Ruluked proudly represented Palau during the TTE opening ceremony, standing alongside regional dignitaries to welcome attendees and officially launch the event. Throughout the expo, PVA was joined at the Palau booth by key partners—Palau Pacific Resort, Neco Marine, Four Seasons, and Hermione Tour—collectively promoting Palau’s unique offerings to thousands of attendees.
On the final day of TTE, the PVA team met with the Taiwan Cyclist Federation, China Airlines, and the Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA). During the meeting, Board Member Leah Asanuma officially presented the updated dates for the Beauty & the Beast Cycling Challenge. Ria Ho, Secretary-General of the Cyclist Federation, expressed enthusiastic support and shared a recently published article in the Taiwan Bicycle Club Magazine that highlighted the Palau Independence Day Cycling Challenge of 2024 as a result of a collaborative media familiarization tour that she attended as well a feature for the upcoming Beauty & the Beast Cycling Challenge. China Airlines and TTA also pledged continued support for Palau’s tourism promotion, highlighting opportunities to strengthen air connectivity and collaborative marketing.
Before returning home, the PVA hosted a successful Travel Trade Seminar attended by 65 Taiwanese travel agencies. Palau Pacific Resort, Neco Marine, Four Seasons, and Hermione Tour all presented compelling travel packages, wrapping up a productive and impactful visit that laid the groundwork for future growth in Taiwan's outbound tourism market.
