March 10th, 2012 | Posted by Guam in News | No Comments

(Pacific Daily News, by Jerick Sablan) – According to preliminary figures from the Guam Visitors Bureau, there has been an increase in Japanese tourists to Guam this month. Compared to March 2011, the number of Japanese arrivals this month reflects a 6.7 percent increase.

After Japan’s triple disaster, the visitors bureau saw an average decrease of 16.1 percent from April to September 2011.

Tony Muna Jr., spokesman at the visitors bureau, said the market is getting better.

“There are increases, not by much, but it is getting better,” he said.

After last year’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant disasters in Japan, GVB launched a new way to market Guam to Japan, called the Omoide-Guam campaign.

Omoide means to make memories in Japanese, and GVB is marketing Guam as a place to make memories, said Muna.

“After a disaster people want to spend time together with their families so we are marketing Guam as a place to make memories with the family,” said Muna.

After the disaster GVB moved its marketing efforts to western cities in Japan, but the Omoide-Guam campaign is geared toward a national reach, said Muna.

In 2011, Guam’s share of visitor arrivals from Japan reached 824,005, visitors bureau numbers show.

Between January and the first week of this month, Guam’s Japanese tourist arrivals are up 0.8 percent to 174,753, GVB data show.

Over the years, Guam has kept a steady share of 5 percent of outbound travelers from Japan. However, because the total number of outbound travelers has decreased, it means the number of Guam’s share of Japanese visitors has also decreased.

Muna said Japan is still the main tourism market for Guam with 70 percent of the total arrivals. However, GVB is looking to diversify the market.

“Due to an increase in our secondary market, we were able to buffer the effect of the disaster,” said Muna.

Arrivals from Taiwan, Russia, and South Korea helped the market not decrease significantly with only a 2.1 decrease, said Muna. GVB is looking to reach these markets.

“We want to work to market Guam to these other areas,” said Muna.

 

Topics: Guam tourist statistics, guam visitors bureau, gvb, Japan tourism, Japan tourists to Guam, Omoide-Guam campaign

December 3rd, 2011 | Posted by Guam in Attractions, Holidays | No Comments

It’s that time of year again where island residents of Guam start to bring out all the Christmas lights and decorations, and the Micronesia Mall is no exception with its famous Holiday Lights and Snow Shows yearly display.

Travel and Leisure has stated that the Micronesia Mall’s display is one of the best holiday lights displays in the world.  The Holiday Lights and Snow Shows is a computerized, synchronized lights, music and snow show that is presented every night in the center court of the Micronesia Mall.

Everyone is welcome to bring the entire family and share in the excitement and spirit of Christmas.  Treat yourself to a ride on the SuperTrain for $1 and get your photo taken with Santa Claus for just $12 this holiday season at the Micronesia Mall.  The remaining schedule for the Holdiay Lights and Snow Shows is listed below:

December 3 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
December 4 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
December 5 to 10 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
December 11 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
December 12 & 13 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm
December 14 to 17 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm
December 18 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
December 19 to 23 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm
December 24 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
December 26 to 31 – 11am, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm

Topics: Christmas on Guam, Guam Christmas, Holiday Lights and Snow Shows, Micronesia Mall, SuperTrain

November 26th, 2011 | Posted by Guam in Events | No Comments

The 32nd Japan Autumn Festival on Guam takes places this Saturday, November 26, 2011 at Ypao Beach Park between the hours of 3:00pm to 10:00pm.  The event is being coordinated by the Japan Club of Guam and all the public is invited to come visit the 32nd Japan Autumn Festival.  The Japanese festival schedule is listed below:

3:00pm – Opening Local and Japanese entertainment
5:00pm – Opening Ceremony and Japanese Performances
10:00pm – Closing Ceremony

The Japan Autumn Festival on the island of Guam continues to grow in popularity and is a regular yearly event which showcases Japanese culture with entertainment, performances, food and dance.

Transportation:  Free parking at open space across Oka-Payless.  Shuttle services are provided at 10 minute intervals, between the hours of 2:00pm to 10:15pm.  Buses designated, as “Japan Festival” will be free of charge.  “The Trolley” are also available for a nominal fee.

November 12th, 2011 | Posted by Guam in Events | No Comments

Kai Productions presents Otaku Recon, a Japanese Anime Convention, on Guam this coming Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the FDMS Phoenix Center.  Otaku Recon will include cosplay contests, My Heart Maid Cafe, gaming tournaments, spicy ramen contest, artist alley, vendors for anime and games, voice actor panels and much more.  General admission to the anime convention opens at 12:00pm and VIP doors open at 11:00am.  Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Southern Crafts, G3 Internet Cafe, New Box Seats.  Tickets for general admission cost $18/single, $25 at the door, and $70 for VIP.

Topics: anime convention, cosplay, G3 Internet Cafe, Guam anime, Guam anime convention, Guam gaming tournament, Kai Productions, My Heart Maid Cafe, New Box Seats, Otaku Recon, Otaku Recon Guam, Southern Crafts

October 27th, 2011 | Posted by Guam in Activities, Events, Sports | No Comments

The Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation will play host this weekend to the 13th annual Micronesia Cup.  Over 30 outrigger canoe teams from Guam, Saipan, Palau, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and Hawaii will compete in this year’s event.  From October 28 through October 30, Guam will witness some of the fastest, toughest outrigger canoe action the region has seen, with both sprint and distance races set to take place over the weekend.

“The Micro Cup has become a rare opportunity to showcase Guam’s national sport,” says Joe John Mantanona, President, Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation.  “These fun and competitive outrigger canoe races have allowed us to share our rich seafaring heritage with the rest of the world.  Additionally funds earned from the event are used to cover expenses for the Guam National teams Guam High School league.”

The Micronesia Cup was introduced shortly after Guam participated in the first ever outrigger canoe races held on Guam in the 1994 Micronesia Game.  As the Guam paddling population became more competitive, the Cup was introduced as a way to have local teams race against other teams in the Pacific.

The event was first organized in guam in 1999 as a Bay-to-Bay race.  Starting off at Merizo, paddlers would then proceed to Umatac Bay then Sella Bay and finished off at Agat Bay.  When the competition began attracting an international pool of paddling athletes, the Cup expanded into a regional canoe race.  Island nations Palau and Saipan came on-board as co-hosts.  This allowed visiting teams to experience different race venues and cultures in Micronesia.

The three islands would take turns hosting the event.  For its 13th year, the Cup once again comes home to Guam.  Historically, Guam is the largest among the three venues.  Last year, the event was held in Palau while Saipan plays host in 2012.

The event kicks off Friday, October 28 at the Matapang Beach in Tumon.  Opening ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

Topics: 13th Annual Micronesia Cup, canoe competition, canoe event, canoe race, Guam canoeing, Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation, Guam paddling, Guam sports event, Matapang Beach, Micro Cup, Micronesia Cup, outrigger canoe competition, outrigger canoe event, outrigger canoe race, outrigger paddling event