1. Manta Ray Bay Resort Makes the Top 10 – The Tech Edvocate recently named Yap’s leading hotel and dive shop as one of the 10 best scuba diving resorts in the world for an aquatic adventure of a lifetime. This well-known online magazine that covers the education technology sector, cited Manta Ray Bay Resort and Yap Divers ability to offer tailored dive experiences focused on intimate encounters with Yap’s famous resident population of manta rays. In about a 150 days, the Resort will also be hosting the Pacific’s annual premier dive photography events, Manta Fest and Blackwater Fest. 

1. United’s Special Visit Micronesia Fares - As Guam and Micronesia's hometown airline for over 50 years, United Airlines is offering special visit Micronesia fares. These discounted fares are valid until December 31, 2024, and allow for up to 5 stops in United’s many Micronesian destinations. The fares must be booked through a travel agent or United, travel must commence and terminate at a point outside of Hawaii, Guam, Saipan or a territory in Micronesia, and passengers must be a bona fide resident outside of the aforementioned countries.

1. MCCs Ocean Gala to Have Strong Yap Theme – The Micronesian Conservation Coalition’s (MCC) 3rd Annual Ocean Gala is scheduled for May 11, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Guam, and will have very strong Yap tie-ins. A special award will be given to well-known scientist Margie Falanruw, who lived and worked for many years on Yap on numerous projects for the MCC. There will also be traditional dances performed by Yapese students attending the University of Guam (UOG). Videos made by the Yapese students during the Marine Island Ecology Courses from last June will also be shown at the Gala. Executive Director of the MCC Julie Hartup is currently in Yap continuing her work on the Yap Manta Ray Project, documenting and studying the habits of Yap’s mantas, thus helping to ensure their continued protection.

1. Save the Date for Yap Day 2025 – Start planning to attend the 2025  Yap Day celebrations which will take place on and around March 1^st, 2025.  Yap Day is one of the premier and largest cultural events in all of Micronesia, which showcases and celebrates everything Yapese – traditions, culture, heritage, food, family, and community. The recently concluded 2024 Yap Day celebrations were very successful, with record numbers of visitors and dignitaries from around the world in attendance. Images and videos from the event can be found on the Yap Visitors Bureau’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

1. Yap’s Tourism Arrivals Growing – Yap’s tourism sector continues to rebound following the Covid-19 pandemic. The island welcomed 2,313 international visitors in 2023, comprised of 1,795 stayover visitors and 518 cruise passengers. The strong performance in visitor arrivals continues, and the first 2 months of 2024 saw a 157% increase compared to the same period in 2023. “We attribute this continued growth of tourism in Yap to the comprehensive advertising, public relations, social media, and  trade show attendance campaign we have been executing over the past year in the Guam, US and European markets,” commented Susan Gooliyan, General Manager of the Yap Visitors Bureau.

For Media Inquiries or Further Information Contact:

Susan Gooliyan – General Manager
YAP VISITORS BUREAU, P.O. 988, Colonia, Yap, FM 96943

E: susan@visityap.com

T: (691)-350-2298/5005

W: www.visityap.com