An interconnected environment and economy- Shark tourism in Palau

by Brenna Schneider As a small, isolated island, the country of Palau has a limited number of income options. Today the tourism industry is a vital source of income for this nation state, as it makes up about 56% of Palau's gross domestic product (GDP) (Vianna et al, 2012). There are more than 40,000 divers who visit Palau each year who spend money on lodging, food, equipment, boats, souvenirs and guides, among other things. This money stimulates the economy by creating jobs, and consequently accounts for more than 39% of the nation's GDP. Of the many divers who choose to visit Palau every year, many specifically visit to shark dive. [More]