- Lindsey Galloway
- BBC Journey
Credit score, Getty Photographs
Regardless of being house to lower than 20,000 inhabitants, the Pacific Republic of Palau is a supply of inspiration for the remainder of the world in terms of conserving the planet.
The nation, made up of greater than 300 islands within the Western Pacific, not solely adopted the world’s first anti-nuclear structure in 1979, but in addition carried out the Palau Dedication in December 2017, which requires worldwide guests to stamp their passports promising kids. from Palau that they are going to “stroll rigorously” and “protect and shield” the islands.
Now, with the reopening of the archipelago to tourism, after two lengthy years of pandemic, a brand new program referred to as Ol’au Palau affords a pioneering initiative on the earth of “gamification” (utilizing the mechanics and traits of the sport to impress behaviors) of accountable tourism. , which is able to present vacationers with distinctive experiences primarily based on how they deal with the setting and native tradition.
This system, administered by way of a cell software, supplies factors for vacationers who deal with the nation with kindness and respect, making sustainable selections, comparable to utilizing secure sunscreen for the reef, visiting culturally important locations (such because the Museum Belau and Bai, the oldest in Micronesia) and eat native meals from sustainable sources.
Earned factors are used to unlock experiences reserved for locals solely, comparable to a particular journey, swimming in a secret cave, sharing a meal with villagers and the aged, or fishing in a secluded spot.
This system additionally guarantees new experiences not open to abnormal vacationers, comparable to the primary start ceremony, a serious cultural occasion.
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The Secret Cave of Palau
The thought of the Palau Dedication took place in 2015, when tourism reached 150,000 guests a yr, greater than 7 instances the nation’s inhabitants, a lot of whom didn’t perceive the fragility of the ecosystem or the significance of sustainability for residents.
Native tradition values hospitality and treats guests with respect, however locals have complained that some guests pollute their setting.
Whats up!
To fight this, Palau wanted a technique to educate guests, says resident Laura Clarke, who co-founded the Palau Legacy Challenge in 2020 together with her buddy Jennifer Koskelin-Gibbons.
With Clarke’s expertise in advertising and marketing and promoting and Koskelin-Gibbons’ work in conservation, Ol’au Palau was born. Ol’au, within the native language, means to ask somebody into your area.
“That is a casual technique to get the eye of somebody we all know, comparable to a buddy or member of the family,” explains Koskelin-Gibbons.
“It is common to name somebody to a barbecue, or if we’re on a seashore and also you’re coming in your boat, I can name to ask you to hitch our household.”
“Underwater Serengeti”
As a result of it depends closely on tourism, Palau has been hit onerous by Covid and quarantine.
The nation reopened in April this yr for absolutely vaccinated vacationers. The locals wish to present the world once more its stunning white sandy seashores and diving websites wealthy in wildlife, which have earned it the nickname “Submarine Serengeti”.
Credit score, Getty Photographs
Palau was the scene of battles in World Battle II, so the nation has the stays of Japanese ships and planes that appeal to history-loving divers.
As well as, Palau lately created the world’s first Nationwide Marine Sanctuary, banning all extraction (together with business fishing) of 500,000 sq. kilometers of ocean. In consequence, Palau is good for observing about 135 species of sharks and rays.
“This yr has been a very good one. The corals are blooming and the reefs are stunning,” stated Scott Arni, captain of the Palau Aggressor II, who led diving expeditions to the Palau for 10 years.
“The sounding was superb, with a lot of sharks and nice encounters with mantle rays within the German Channel (a channel dug within the Palau Coral Barrier within the southwest).”
Credit score, Getty Photographs
Accountable vacationers may have entry to unique experiences
Ol’au Palau’s rewards might be tailor-made to the vacationer’s curiosity, whether or not it is diving, climbing or getting concerned in the area people.
Clarke recommends a 10-14 day journey to benefit from your schedule, particularly contemplating the time it takes to journey to the distant archipelago, situated 890 km east of the Philippines and 1,330 km southwest of Guam.
“If you happen to accumulate factors within the first 5 days, you’ll have 5 or 6 extra days to redeem them.”
leaves no traces
Sustainability is important for a lot of in Palau, so it is easy to seek out native companies that adhere to good environmental practices. Those that sit and dine in these locations earn factors within the Ol’au Palau program.
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Palau is known for being a spectacular place for diving.
These locations are a part of the Palau Enterprise Pledge program, the place firms work to attenuate their impression on the setting and assist their clients do the identical.
Consumption of fish and native merchandise is likely one of the best methods to maintain this economic system.
Palau’s nationwide soup known as demo – made with taro leaf (an edible plant), coconut broth and crab.
“Not solely is it wholesome, however it’s extremely scrumptious after a protracted day on the water,” says Koskelin-Gibbons.
To discover the whole island, Clarke recommends Sam’s Excursions, which is 100% native.
They rent native guides for his or her kayaking, climbing and snorkeling journeys, and in addition incorporate sustainable practices into their excursions (comparable to serving native lunch and avoiding disposable plastics) with out leaving a hint throughout visits.
Credit score, Getty Photographs
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