The PM has sparked massive interest to Palau since his trip

The Prime Minister recently spent a week at a stunning, tropical location and now interest to the hotspot has surged through the roof.

It appears Anthony Albanese has become an influencer – he just may not know it.

In mid October, it was revealed the Prime Minister spent a week relaxing on the remote island of Palau in Micronesia – a paradise destination just six hours from Australia.

The tropical holiday was privately funded with his budget economy Qantas flights subsidised to promote tourism in the region.

And it appears he’s done just that – and may not even know it.

The location was revealed as Palau after he got back to Australia, as he requested a 7-day news blackout for security reasons. Joining him was his security team and fiancee Jodie Haydon.

The PM has become an influencer without even knowing it. Picture: Instagram

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Since then, searches to Palau surged 175 per cent, year-on-year, according to Expedia.

“This is based on searches on Expedia the week after the Prime Minister’s Palau visit hit the news, in comparison to the same period the year prior,” Sarah King, Expedia travel expert, told news.com.au.

After years of not having gone on a personal trip, the duo finally jetted off to this stunning location – Palau.

And since their trip in mid-October, interest to Palau has surged. Picture: iStock

Palau is an archipelago of roughly 340 islands and is situated southwest of Guam, north of Papua New Guinea, and west of the Federated States of Micronesia.

“Palau is quickly rising as an island getaway for Aussie travellers, offering lush forests, crystal-clear lagoons, and UNESCO-listed islands. It’s an untouched nature lover’s paradise on Australia’s doorstep,” Ms King added.

Albo and Jodie took an economy Qantas flight, with passengers surprised to spot the duo on their flight.

She said thanks to Qantas’ direct weekly service, Aussies can access Palau from Brisbane in just under six hours, eliminating a stopover in Manila, and making it more accessible than ever.

“What many Aussies might not know is that Palau is the first country in the world to integrate an ecological commitment directly into its immigration entry process, appealing to Aussies seeking a more meaningful island experience,” Ms King explained.

Interest to the islands of Palau increased 175 per cent year-on-year, according to Expedia, since it was revealed that PM enjoyed a tropical holiday in Palau this month.

The tropical holiday was privately funded with his budget economy Qantas flights subsidised to promote tourism in the region. Picture: NewsWire / Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

“Every visitor entering the country has to sign the Palau Pledge, a commitment to act responsibly toward the environment and culture.”

The environmental pledge comes after palau became the first nation on earth to change its immigration laws for the cause of environmental protection.

In a world first, the Pacific nation of Palau has also banned sunscreen containing chemicals that it claims are “incredibly toxic” to its coral reefs.

Every visitor to the remote island in Micronesia is made to sign a ‘pledge’ in their passports, vowing to be environmentally conscious. Picture: TikTok

“Home to thriving marine life and named one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, Palau is a must-visit, especially for divers and snorkellers,” Ms King said.

She said it’s also home to incredible accommodation options, providing tropical resort experiences often associated with the likes of Fiji or the Cook Islands.

Meanwhile, in terms of the PM taking personal trips, Palau is believed to be the first time he has travelled overseas for a holiday since he was first elected as Prime Minister in 2022.

It’s also understood he declined selfies with Aussies also travelling to the hotspot with his security officers telling travellers it was the couple’s first overseas holiday in three years.

Tourists on the flight who spotted the Prime Minister and his wife were surprised the duo were flying economy, joking that “perhaps the nice thing to do would be to send them some decent bubbly”.

– with Samantha Maiden