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The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), in partnership with the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)Yap Visitors Bureau (YVB) through the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative (PTDI), has released its latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) report for the period July to December 2025.
The report offers valuable insights into the preferences, spending patterns, and experiences of international visitors to Yap, FSM. These findings will help SPTO and YVB better understand traveller behaviour and strengthen tourism strategies to meet changing visitor expectations.
FSM Yap is among 10 Pacific Island countries —Cook Islands, Tonga, PNG, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Kiribati, Timor Leste, and Niue under the Pacific Tourism Data Initiative funded by the New Zealand Government. PTDI continues to serve as an essential resource for tourism data across the Pacific through the bi-annual International Visitor Survey (IVS), an annual Business Confidence Index (BCI), and an annual Community Attitude Survey (CAS) report to strengthen regional tourism strategies.
YVB General Manager Susan Gooliyan praised the collaboration with SPTO and the PTDI team, emphasizing the value of the IVS reports in guiding Yap’s tourism development.
“These insights are crucial for helping us understand what visitors want and how we can improve their experience,” she said. “They also help us showcase what makes Yap truly special. We appreciate SPTO’s continued support in making this important work possible.”
The latest visitor reports for FSM Yap reveal strong international interest, with 38% of visitors coming from the United States, followed by 18% from other Pacific Islands and 12% from Guam. Most travelers were between 40 and 49 years old, with average household incomes ranging from USD 150,000 to 200,000. A significant 60% were first-time visitors, showing growing appeal. The main reasons for visiting were holidays (50%) and business or conferences (41%), with an average stay of 6 nights.
Tourism brought notable economic benefits, with average prepaid spending at USD 2,589 per person and daily local spending at USD 199. The total economic return to FSM Yap was estimated at 40%. Visitor satisfaction was high, especially for local
hospitality, cultural experiences, and available activities. While some concerns were raised about airport services and food options, 96% of visitors said they would recommend FSM Yap to others, and many expressed a strong intention to return.
SPTO CEO Christopher Cocker highlighted the vital role of data in shaping the future of tourism in the Pacific.
“As the region’s leading source for tourism research, SPTO is proud to lead initiatives like the PTDI that deliver meaningful insights into visitor trends and impacts,” Cocker said. “With this data, we empower member countries like FSM Yap to make informed decisions that support long-term, sustainable tourism development
