KOROR, Palau (10 June 2003) -- Tourist arrivals in May dropped by 16 percent compared to the same period last year, the Palau Visitors Authority said. Visitor arrivals totaled 3,378 last month — the lowest in 2002 and, so far, in 2003. One of the biggest factors for this drop was the SARS scare, PVA said. On May 16, the Palau government banned the entry of persons coming from SARS affected areas. Visitors from Japan registered a 28 percent decrease in May compared to the same period last year. Visitors from Taiwan, which is one of the SARS "hotspots," totaled 838 visitors, a 14 percent increase compared to the same period last year. But this figure is lower compared to April's arrivals. | | The U.S./Canada tourist market also dropped by 20 percent in May. Continental Airlines had 3,200 passengers for Palau — a 12 percent decrease, while Far Eastern Air Transport brought in 600 passengers compared to 829 in May 2002. Japan Airlines had only 27 passengers in May compared to 301 during the same period last year. The visitor arrivals in March totaled 5,948 and 4,856 in April. The highest figure was the 7,152 recorded in Dec. 2002. SOURCE - Marianas Variety |
