Yap doubles visitor arrivals in 2024

YAP, Federated States of Micronesia—Yap’s tourism sector continues to rebound with visitor arrivals in 2024 so far almost doubling the number for the same period in 2023. The island welcomed 1,825 international stayover visitors between January to August 2024, compared to 945 in 2023, a 93% increase.

“We are thrilled to see this growth in our visitor numbers, which indicates that our comprehensive advertising, public relations, social media, and trade show attendance campaign over the past year and a half in the Guam, U.S. and European markets is generating impressive results,” said Yap Visitors Bureau general manager Susan Gooliyan.

Visitor arrivals will likely increase next year with Yap hosting the 2025 Micronesia Expo, which will run from July 21-25, 2025.

The 4th Micronesia Expo is designed celebrate the rich culture and heritage of all states that comprise the Federated States of Micronesia. Planning activities have already started in terms of determining venues, activities and travel arrangements for participants. This year’s Expo was held in Chuuk State in July and Yap was represented by a strong delegation of 40 persons.

Meanwhile, the main and outer islands of Yap welcomed 80 Australian cruise passengers on board the Coral Geographer from Sept. 3 to 6, 2024.

The Yap Visitors Bureau provided greeter services the visitors, as well as branded promotional giveaways. A special Air Nauru flight was arranged from Cairns, Australia to pick up the 80 departing passengers and drop off passengers who were joining the cruise in Yap. The Coral Geographer was the second cruise ship to visit Yap in 2024 and the island is actively targeting small niche cruise lines that ply the Pacific area.

Yap is an island in the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean that is ringed by spectacular coral reefs and famous for its scuba diving with giant manta rays, sharks and mandarin fish. Other key activities on the island include kayaking, hiking, deep-sea fishing and exploring the many World War II historical sites.

Yap is also uniquely famous for its stone money (huge disks of stone, which are still used today in major transactions), strong traditional culture and way of life, and welcoming residents. A short flight away from Guam or Palau, this Pacific gem is one of the tourism industry’s best kept secrets. For more information: www.visityap.com. (PR)