A study by the Pacific Asia Travel Association suggests the number of tourist arrivals in the Oceania region will grow by nearly eight per cent in the next year.
The association released its Asia Pacific Tourism Forecasts 2005-2007 yesterday at its Annual Conference in Macau.
It forecasts arrivals will be grow by 7.83 per cent for 2005-2006.
But it predicts the average growth will decelerate, with tourist arrivals increasing by 6.67 per cent in 2006-2007.
The study says Hawaii, New Caledonia, Samoa and Tonga show growth extending to 2006 before settling back to a lower rate in 2007.
Palau's growth over the period 2003-2007 is expected to outstrip other Pacific Island countries, with 19.8 per cent forecast.
Fiji and Guam are close behind on 16 per cent and 16.1 per cent respectively.
They're followed by the Northern Marianas, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu.
