Our winners travelled to Palau for an unforgettable journey through one of the Pacific's most extraordinary destinations.
Earlier this year, The Sanctuary gave Room-Res agents the opportunity to earn a place on an exclusive Palau experience created with the Palau Visitors Authority. In September, eight winning agents travelled from Brisbane to Palau for eight nights of culture, history, adventure, incredible marine experiences and standout accommodation.
The journey was designed to go well beyond the postcard view, giving agents the chance to experience the destination firsthand and return with a stronger understanding of what makes Palau so special for Australian travellers.
Eight agents joined Room-Res and the Palau Visitors Authority to experience Palau firsthand.
The Sanctuary combined headline Palau experiences with culture, history, accommodation and local encounters, giving the group a much deeper understanding of how to sell the destination.
Smile Air scenic flights over the Rock Islands revealed the extraordinary scale, colour and geography of Palau before the group explored it from sea level.
A full-day Fish 'n Fins snorkelling experience introduced the group to Palau's reefs, giant clams, sharks, marine life and extraordinary clear waters.
Ngaraard and the Paddling Palau Peleliu experience revealed another side of the destination, from Palauan traditions to the powerful stories of its World War II history.
Resort stays, hotel visits and the Four Seasons Explorer experience highlighted the range available to clients looking for adventure, indulgence or both.
Some moments are better seen than described. Three more glimpses from the group's time in Palau.
“Palau captivated me with its pristine beauty, from the breathtaking aqua waters to the lush jungle-fringed islands, delivering an authentic, relaxing and truly immersive experience.”
Vanessa | Travel AssociatesSell Palau as an experience, not simply as a beautiful beach destination. Its culture, history, diving and snorkelling give agents a much broader story to tell.
Her must-haves: scenic flight, Peleliu, Fish 'n Fins snorkelling and the Four Seasons Explorer.
“Palau is a breathtaking destination that offered the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, rich culture and fascinating WWII history, with so much more to discover beyond its world-class diving and snorkelling.”
Jade | Luxe World“Palau honestly blew me away in ways I wasn't expecting. From the incredible scenery and marine life to learning about the history, culture and meeting the beautiful people, it was such an eye-opening experience.”
Rebecca | The Cruise and Travel StoreDon't think of Palau as only a diving destination. Find out what clients enjoy and build the itinerary around them, mixing marine experiences with culture, history, scenery and experiences they might not normally choose for themselves.
The itinerary was built to give the group a rounded view of Palau, combining the experiences clients dream about with the product knowledge agents need to sell it confidently.
Smile Air scenic flights, Rock Islands, Fish 'n Fins reef snorkelling, sharks, giant clams and the Four Seasons Explorer brought Palau's natural environment vividly to life.
Ngaraard, Peleliu with Paddling Palau, local dining and community experiences helped agents understand the destination beyond its coastline.
Resort stays, site inspections and destination experiences gave the group practical knowledge they can now bring directly into client conversations.
In July, Room-Res joined Travel Daily and the Palau Visitors Authority at The Room Residence in Sydney for an industry conversation focused on Palau, responsible tourism and the story behind the Palau Pledge.
Before every visitor enters Palau, they make a promise to preserve and protect its natural and cultural heritage. The Palau Pledge is signed by travellers and stamped into their passport, making responsible travel personal, memorable and part of the journey itself.
The discussion explored how that commitment shapes the destination, and how agents can use Palau's conservation leadership, culture and extraordinary natural environment to create stronger client conversations.
How a signed promise on arrival has become one of travel's most recognisable conservation messages.
How Palau encourages travellers to consider their impact before they arrive, and how agents can prepare clients for that experience.
How agents can move the conversation beyond beaches and diving to include purpose, culture, community and conservation.
Moderated by Jo-Anne Hui-Miller from Travel Daily, the panel featured Laura Clarke, Honorary Consul General – Republic of Palau to Australia and Co-Founder of the Palau Pledge, and Onorina Fugawai, Tourism Manager at Pacific Trade Invest.
The discussion also looked at Palau as an under-the-radar Pacific destination and the growing trade opportunity created by direct flights from Brisbane.
“There's no substitute for experiencing Palau firsthand, from our pristine World Heritage Listed Rock Islands to the extraordinary jellyfish lake, and hosting Room.Res and its agents was about building a partnership that lasts.”
“Australian visitation is growing strongly, but there's more work to do and we're grateful to have Room.Res alongside us as we introduce more Australians to Palau. With Qantas' twice weekly flights, agents can now offer a four-night escape or a longer eight-night stay.”
Kadoi RulukedFrom underwater encounters and the Rock Islands to local experiences, resort stays and the moments in between, this was Palau through the eyes of The Sanctuary winners.
Palau is renowned for its spectacular marine environment, world-class diving and iconic Rock Islands, but The Sanctuary showed the group how much more there is for clients to experience. Culture, history, adventure, luxury, sustainability and local experiences all form part of the destination story.
The Palau Pledge sits at the heart of that story. Every visitor is asked to make a promise to protect and preserve the destination, turning responsible travel into part of the experience itself.
Our winners have now experienced Palau firsthand and brought that knowledge back to the Australian travel trade. Discover the destination, explore the accommodation and experiences available, and start building your clients' own Palau journey with Room-Res.
Explore Palau on Room-Res