The EXPO is one of the largest travel and tourism industry exhibitions in the world. Over 1,000 companies and organizations from about 80 countries and regions are expected to participate, and over 180,000 visitors are anticipated during the four-day event.
The first two days, September 26 and 27, were set for trade days for industry professionals. GVB, along with several GVB member companies including Baldyga Group, Royal Orchid Guam, PHR-The Tsubaki Tower, Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Hotel Nikko Guam, Pacific Islands Club, RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam, Arluis Wedding, Guam Premier Outlets, Crowne Plaza Resort Guam, Guam Plaza Resort, Dusit Thani Guam Resort, Dusit Beach, Dusit Place, Lotte Hotel Guam, Skydive Guam, Choice Broadcasting, Japan Guam Travel Association (JGTA), and United Airlines are participating as exhibitors.
Additionally, on September 27, GVB and H.I.S. Co., Ltd. held a signing ceremony at the H.I.S. booth. The ceremony was attended by GVB President & CEO Carl T.C. Gutierrez, Board Member, and Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann, and Global Marketing Director Nadine Leon Guerrero to officially launch a joint promotion, the “Wellness Island Project” which will widely promote Guam as a wellness/fitness island destination aiming to bring 50,000 and more visitors to Guam in 2025.
Gutierrez stated, “We are proud of our partnership with H.I.S., highlighting our culture, natural resources, and upcoming events that promote fitness and wellness.
Mr. Kozo Arita, H.I.S. Executive Officer, has embraced Guam, and I encourage the company to expand and include our brothers and sisters in all the Marianas.”
On hand to promote this concept and share the events through live broadcasts was Choice Broadcasting’s Ray Gibson, who conducted on-site interviews with Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) Managing Director Chris Concepcion, GVB Board Member & Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann, GVB Member and Guam Premier Outlets General Manager Monte Mesa, and GVB President & CEO Carl T.C.
Gutierrez.
Furthermore, on the evening of the 27th, a reception was held at the GVB booth to provide an opportunity for travel industry professionals to network.
September 28 and 29 are open to the general public as consumer days, where Guam will showcase its attractions to consumers. The booth will feature various activities that allow visitors to experience Guam’s culture, cuisine, and beauty by appealing to the five senses. There will also be a variety of fun events for visitors, such as giveaways of newly designed original eco-bags and rock-paper-scissors
competitions, to name a few.
As part of the introduction to Guam’s culture, performances by “Guma Taotao Kinahulo Atdao na Tano” led by Asami Nohira along with the CHamoru dance show by local cultural entertainers Vince San Nicolas and Jayvier Quenga. The Guam CHamoru Dance Academy (GCDA) will also perform on the main stage.
Behind the booth, the Guam Mangge food truck, which sold Tinaktak Burgers and CHamoru BBQ bowls, was in high demand among JATA goers. There is also an Augmented Reality “AR” experience corner using the app “STYLY.”
Visitors can participate in a campaign to find GVB’s official character, follow GVB’s official social media account, and win special prizes.
Through Tourism EXPO Japan 2024, the Guam Visitors Bureau aims to share Guam’s charm and attract more visitors to increase arrival numbers for the Japanese market. By the end of FY2024, the Japanese market will have achieved its goal of over 200,000 visitors, and it hopes to achieve more than 50% or more for the coming fiscal year.
