12 Jan 2006

TV show opened up European markets, says Palau

11:50 am on 12 January 2006

The President of Palau's Chief of Staff says the US reality TV show Survivor has opened up tourist markets from Europe.

Billy Kuartei says the TV show has put Palau on the world map.

He says there has been interest from Europe and Russia to film similar reality shows there.

But Mr Kuartei says the government must find a balance between productions, tourism, and maintaining the environment.

"T he tourists are coming, but we want to control it, we want the quality, and not necessarily the number. We want people to come and spend money, but also to have minimal impact on environment and infrastructure. That's the delicate balance that we must somehow maintain."