Yap Visitor Survey and Visit Yap App: Presentation to the Yap State Legislature

Yap Visitor Survey and Visit Yap App: Presentation to the Yap State Legislature (Report). Colonia, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia: New Zealand Tourism Research Institute. 2019-08-16.

Abstract: Yap is the focus of a presentation to the Yap State Legislature centered on the Yap Visitor Survey and the Visit Yap App, with referenced involvement over time from NZ/Cooks Govt in 2006 and 2012, World Bank/IFC in 2014 and 2016, MFAT in 2017 and onward, and US DoI/YVB from 2014 onward. A Decision Support System is described to improve insight, quality, and yield, alongside Business Research activities. Community Awareness and Attitudes Research ran from January 2015 to December 2018, during which 1,678 emails were sent and 290 responses were received, covering a total of 380 adults and 31 children. Visitor feedback identifies positive aspects of Yap including local people 51, activities and attractions 40, environment and cleanliness 21, local culture 20, accommodation 9, level of service 7, atmosphere 6, food and beverage 4, un-commercial 2, local history 1, convenience 1, and infrastructure 1. One visitor noted the generosity of local people and highlighted the beach at Village View as “amazing.” Reported issues and areas needing attention include public services and facilities 25, flight related issues 23, attractions and activities 13, price of goods and services 9, local people and level of service 9, food and beverage 7, consumption of betel nut 5, undeveloped local products, crafts and souvenirs 4, rental cars or scooters and transport 4, accommodation 3, rubbish and natural environment care 3, weather 2, human right issues 1, and stray animals and mosquitos 1. The IVS is described as generating valuable information for industry performance, with an emphasis on maintaining cost-effective data gathering and analysis with needed support. Visitors are identified as needing more information about what they can do on Yap and where they can spend money, with the Visit Yap App designed to address information availability and accessibility, and additional work noted for other platforms such as social media. It is stated that tourism is everyone’s business, and that sharing data with both business and community is important.