The Republic of the Marshall Islands has launched the Marshall Islands Pocket Guide, a new online tourism resource aimed at raising the country's profile in regional and international travel markets.
Developed by South Pacific Pocket Guide in collaboration with the Office of Commerce, Investment & Tourism (OCIT), the website provides travellers with comprehensive information on Majuro and the wider Marshall Islands.
The guide is the 10th destination platform produced by South Pacific Pocket Guide and contains 136 articles covering attractions, accommodation, restaurants, transport, shopping and practical travel information.
The content was compiled following 10 days of field research in Majuro in July, during which South Pacific Pocket Guide representatives Robin and Laura met with more than 50 tourism operators, accommodation providers, restaurants, handicraft businesses, transport operators and other tourism stakeholders.
The project was supported by the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), which facilitated collaboration between South Pacific Pocket Guide and OCIT, and by the Australian Government through the Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation (P4A) programme.
South Pacific Pocket Guide Operations Manager Robin said the website highlights the Marshall Islands' untapped tourism potential.
"As one of the Pacific's smaller and more remote destinations, the Marshall Islands has significant untapped tourism potential. The fact that the Pocket Guide now features 101 things to do demonstrates the depth and diversity of experiences available, and the opportunity for the industry to position RMI more confidently in regional and international markets," Robin said.
He said the guide showcases unique cultural experiences, including traditional canoe building, handicrafts and pandanus-based food and drink, while making information more accessible to prospective visitors.
During the research visit, the team also promoted the destination through social media, generating about 948,000 views and 45,000 interactions.
Loretta Lori deBrum, Marketing and Public Relations Officer at OCIT, said the guide would make it easier for travellers to discover the Marshall Islands while providing greater exposure for local tourism businesses.
"With the Marshall Islands Pocket Guide, for the first time, we are bringing together trusted information on our attractions, culture, local businesses, accommodations and experiences into one accessible platform," she said.
"This will make it easier for visitors to discover what the Marshall Islands has to offer while giving our tourism operators greater visibility and opportunities to reach new markets."
South Pacific Pocket Guide plans to return to the Marshall Islands in November to update the guide, expand coverage of the outer atolls and advance the Trip Carver initiative, which will allow local tourism operators to accept online bookings through free websites.
