IT’S ‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’ IN GUAM
Despite threats by North Korea, the Guam Visitors Bureau assures tourists the US territory in the Pacific is safe
Amid North Korea’s threat to the island, Guam remains a safe destination for travelers, assured Antonio Muña Jr., vice president of the Guam Visitors Bureau on Tuesday.
“Guam continues to share the news that we are safe that we are protected by the United States of America. We want to reassure everyone that Guam has not experienced any changes and again it is business as usual,” said Muña, during the Cebu Pacific and Guam Visitors Bureau Me- dia event at the Summit Galleria Cebu Hotel.
“We invite and encourage those who are planning their upcoming trips to continue with their travel arrangements and come and enjoy our beautiful island paradise. Guam is always ready to share the love of culture, shopping, traditions, food, friendliness, and hospitality,” he added.
Guam is an island country under the US territory, situated in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean.
It recently became a trended topic around the globe after North Korea vowed to launch a missile attack against the island, following the word-war between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s lead- er Kim Jong Un on the latter’s nuclear quest.
Guam is the closest US destination from the Philippines, with an approximate travel time of 3.5 hours to Manila.
The Guam Visitors Bureau is courting more Filipino travelers to visit the island.
Specifically, Muña said the island country is an ideal destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) and a shopping paradise.
“Mice businesses from the Philippines continue to grow with new hotels, enhanced conference facilities and fresh Mice supporting policies. Guam is ready to welcome more business groups and to support organizers impress the delegation with unique Guam experience,” he said.
Carmel Carpio, market account director of the Guam Visitors Bureau for the Philippines, said there are about 9,450 hotel rooms in Guam that can accommodate small and big convention groups of up to 2,000 delegates.
“Guam is a fresh alternative for Mice,” she said.
Cebuanos who want to explore Guam may take Cebu Pacific’s (CEB) three-times weekly Manila-Guam flight. The low-cost airline started flying to Guam in March last year.
Eighteen months after its launch, tourism arrivals to Guam has surged dramatically, with the Guam Visitors Bureau reporting a total of 144,758 tourist arrivals in August 2017 alone, bringing the total number of tourists to over one million from January to August this year.
Starting this month until December, all passengers flying between Manila and Guam who pre-purchased baggage allowance of 40 kilograms will get an additional 25 kilograms free of charge.
Charo Logarta Lagamon, CEB’s director for corporate communications, said this promotion is meant to invite more Filipinos to visit Guam and enjoy shopping during the “ber” months.
Guam is set to hold the Shop Guam Festival (SGF) this November, one of the biggest shopping events in the Pacific region. SGF showcases Guam’s tax-free shopping while offering incentives and other activities from retail establishments on the island.
Of the 160,000 people living in Guam, 30 percent of them are Filipinos.