The president of the Republic of Palau said Thursday that his island nation will protect its environment through education and the selective admission of foreign capital, while promoting tourism as its major industry.
"Anybody in Palau would tell you that tourism is our bread and butter. It's the lifeline of our economic sector," President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. told The Japan Times in an interview.
Remengesau said that in a way, focusing on tourism and attracting visitors who are eager to experience the country's pristine marine world makes the people of Palau more conscious of environmental issues. The country has an education program to make both tourists and the providers of local tourism services fully aware of the importance of the issue.