Historic Palau-Taiwan travel bubble under way

Over 100 tourists have descended on Palau to kick off the first travel bubble with Taiwan, with President Surangel Whipps Junior, accompanying them on the flight.

Radio NZ reports Whipps returned to Palau on the flight after a four-day visit to Taiwan where he encouraged potential tourists to spend their holidays in the Covid-free Pacific nation.

The flight was the first of a twice-a-week arrangement between Palau and Taiwan.

A vaccination programme in Palau is one key contributing factor to the decision to slowly open up to tourists.

Whipps said Palau was on its way to reaching herd immunity with at least half of its 18,000 population partially vaccinated by the end of March.

Radio NZ reports at a cost of up to $US2800, tourists would be able to go on a holiday in Palau and snorkel at the Rock Islands but were restricted from mingling with the community.

Visitors would be required to test negative for coronavirus hours before boarding the plane.