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Palau
Palau
Getting a high score in Palau
On Saturday April 22 we celebrate Earth Day, a day to think about how bloody amazing this planet is, and to make investments into keeping it that way.
One of the most beautiful corners of this planet is Palau, an otherworldly set of islands filled with sandy beaches, palm trees, grassy fields and even mountains in the Pacific Ocean. In Palauan, “Ol’au” is a way of calling out to a friend to invite them into your space. And that’s what the Palauans are doing now – only, in a way that ensures these islands stay as beautiful as they are now.
Ol’au Palau is a tourism initiative that unlocks new experiences and places in that country through sustainable action. Whereas money buys you access to the best places around the rest of the world. In Palau, the more you show you care, the more points you get. The more points you score, the more places you unlock. It’s innovative, but pretty simple, system.
In 2017 Palau became the very first country in the world to change its immigration laws for the cause of environmental protection. Visitors are required to sign a passport pledge to act in an ecologically responsible way on the island.
It’s this sort of forward thinking that’ll keep this tiny archipelago as gorgeous as its always been. It’s win-win - a win for the country, and a win for the rest of us who get to enjoy the world class diving, beaches, marine and island life there is here.
