Heading to Palau soon? Be prepared to sign an eco-pledge to gain admittance.

Palau has become the first country to require all tourists to sign a pledge to be issued an entry visa. The pledge stamped in your passport reads:

Children of Palau,
I take this pledge,
as your guest,
to preserve and protect
your beautiful and unique
island home.

“I vow to tread lightly,
act kindly and
explore mindfully.

I shall not take
what is not given.

I shall not harm
what does not harm me.

The only footprints
I shall leave are those
that will wash away.”

The announcement came Dec. 7 with the President of Palau, Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., stating, “It is our responsibility to show our guests how to respect Palau, just as it is their duty to uphold the signed pledge when visiting.”

Palau is a favorite dive destination among underwater photographers and scuba divers around the globe. Spoiler alert: Palau even ranked second in the conservation category of our 2018 Readers Choice survey (more on that coming soon).

Palau is considered to be the 13th smallest nation in the world with a population of less than 20,000 people, yet the country sees more than 160,000 visitors each year.

The negative impacts of tourism and climate change have already taken a toll on this nation. This pledge was deemed necessary by the government and they plan to take action on those who break the conditions of the pledge, with fines ranging up to $1 million.

Laura Clarke, one of the co founders of the Palau Legacy project says, “most visitors are unaware of the serious impact their actions have or even what they can do to help.”

A dedicated website has been created to inform visitors about the Palau Pledge prior to their trip.

Palau may be the first country to implement such a pledge, but hopefully it's not the last.

Many prominent figures took to Twitter to voice their support: