Tokyo, Japan
March 28 – April 6, 2025
April 4–6, 2025: 33rd Marine Diving Fair (MDF) 2025
Held at the Sunshine City Convention Center in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, the 33rd Marine Diving Fair (MDF) welcomed an impressive 29,153 visitors over the course of three days: April 4 saw 6,174 attendees, April 5 drew 13,698 attendees, and April 6 concluded with 9,281 attendees.
Celebrated as one of Asia’s premier scuba diving events, MDF brought together a diverse range of global participants from the fields of ocean exploration, travel, resorts, underwater photography, environmental advocacy, and education.
Palau’s delegation proudly showcased the nation’s exceptional diving experiences, dedication to sustainable tourism, and rich cultural heritage. The country achieved remarkable success at the event, earning top honors in Marine Diving Web’s annual readers’ poll — a platform with over 1.25 million users. Palau claimed 1st Place for Best Diving Area and 1st Place for First-Time Overseas Dive Area.
His Excellency Mr. Peter Adelbai, Ambassador of Palau to Japan, graciously accepted the award for Best Diving Area, while Palau Visitors Authority (PVA) Chairman Mr. Jackson Doktok received the recognition for First-Time Overseas Dive Area.
Accompanied by PVA staff and representatives from the Koror State Government, Legislator Rodney Omelau and Legislator Tangesechel Mariur, the Palau Booth captivated thousands of diving enthusiasts and travel seekers.
Tour operators featured at the Palau Booth included Palau Pacific Resort, Hotel Indigo Palau, Belau Tour, Global Service, Daydream Palau, Aqua Magic, Impac Tours, Palau Pacific Divers, Sport Tours, Palau Sunrise Sea View Landison Retreat, and Dolphins Pacific.
This prestigious recognition underscores Palau’s status as a world-class diving paradise, celebrated for its pristine marine environments, abundant marine life, and breathtaking underwater landscapes. The awards reaffirm the enduring appeal of Palau’s dive sites, attracting both seasoned divers and newcomers eager to explore its underwater wonders.
"We are incredibly honored and grateful to the readers of Marine Diving Web for these prestigious awards," said Mr. Jackson Doktok, Chairman of the Palau Visitors Authority Board of Directors. "These accolades reflect the dedication of our community to preserving our natural wonders and providing exceptional experiences for visitors."
"We are committed to maintaining the pristine beauty of our marine environment for future generations," added Mr. Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority.
The Marine Diving Awards, a highly regarded annual poll, invites diving enthusiasts worldwide to vote for their favorite destinations and experiences. Palau’s sweeping victory highlights its continued leadership in the global diving community.
Key highlights of Palau’s diving experience include its extraordinary range of marine life, with sharks, manta rays, and vibrant coral reefs. From the iconic Blue Corner to historic WWII wrecks, Palau offers a wide variety of dive experiences for all skill levels. The nation remains at the forefront of marine conservation, with initiatives such as the Palau National Marine Sanctuary ensuring the protection of its unique ecosystems. Additionally, Palau’s dedication to environmental sustainability and authentic cultural experiences continues to draw divers from around the world.
Pre-MDF Engagements
March 28–31, 2025: Long Stay Foundation Seminar and Meeting
PVA Team met with Mr. Tsuruta and Ms. Aya Kawashima, New Business Creation & Marketing General Manager, to explore opportunities in long-stay tourism. Discussions centered on strategies to attract Japanese retirees and long-stay visitors, cultural and historical experiences tailored for older tourists, visa and immigration policies, market trends and challenges for long-stay tourism, and promotional proposals for Palau as a long-stay destination.
April 2, 2025: Meeting with Japan School Trip Bureau
PVA explored opportunities to position Palau as a destination for Japanese school trips. Topics covered included collaboration with the Japan School Trip Bureau and its publication, cost considerations for featuring Palau in the bureau’s magazine, opportunities for cultural exchange and historical education, and building partnerships to promote Palau as an educational destination.
April 2, 2025: Meeting with Japan Tourist Bureau and T.P. Micronesia, Inc.
In a joint meeting with key representatives from the Japan Tourist Bureau (JTB) and T.P. Micronesia, discussions focused on tourism development updates in Palau, enhancing flight connections and accessibility, cultural and historical ties between Palau and Japan, tourism trends, market updates, and economic considerations, as well as initiatives to promote educational trips, homestays, and sustainable tourism. Environmental efforts and culinary experiences in Palau were also part of the conversation.
