YAPPING ABOUT YAP (still) - 2017 TRIP REPORT & PIX

[Killercavecow]

Saipan is having growing pains with these same issues as well. Not to take away from the informative and thoughtful trip report.

 

[jorgie6]

Not so sure much will happen with the Chinese, let alone anytime soon. They've proposed a 4,000 unit resort. I think I saw somewhere they can accommodate 10,000 people at once. Realize this is an island where there are currently 135 hotel rooms available, they get maybe 4,000 visitors a year, and the entire island-wide population is 11,000 people. Just scaling out 10,000 people a week means upping the current air sked from 2 flights per week to 40. There's simply no infrastructure to handle all of this.

The other thing to remember is that they've looked closely at the Chinese investment in Palau's tourism economy has done. During the building phase, they fly Chinese workers in to do the construction so it doesn't help the local labor force. Once open, they hire Chinese nationals since that;'s who they cater to. And since the properties are fully owned by Chines companies free and clear, the profits all flow back to China. What you find in the end is that you've now got Palau over-run by Chinese tourists (this is not meant as a slap at the Chinese, simply looking at the economics), who come in spend money with the Chinese business, and then go home. Very little of the money spent actually direct benefits Palau. Don't think Yap hasn't noticed.

- Ken

You make several excellent points! Aside from tourism....the tuna industry has really grown in this part of the world. We were in Pohnpei during the WCPFC Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Conference. Looks like most of the profits go back to China and Japan....what benefit are the people of the FSM...really seeing from this "growth" in tourism and fishing.

 

[drbill]

Thanks, Ken. I had hoped to go for a dive with Bill Acker some time since we were involved together in promoting a Palau Dive Adventures/Manta Bay trip. Hopefully in the future

 

[ljwillia]

Enjoyed your pics! Looks like an awesome trip!