Pictured above is a section of the  “We are Guam, We are Mangilao” mural which was created in the beginning of January in the village of Mangilao as part of the “We Are Guam” branding initiative by the Guam Visitors Bureau.  The program is meant to showcase the brand identity of Guam and it’s different villages.  This was the first mural to go up in the village of Mangilao out of the upcoming total of 19 for all Guam villages.  The mural in Mangilao depicts scenes which relate to the village of Mangilao.  The next “We Are Guam” mural will be created in the village of Yigo.

So if your visiting Guam and in the village of Mangilao be sure to check out the 114 x 14 feet mural which is in the intersection of Routes 10 and 15.

Note: To see the full mural click on the image above.

Tags: guam visitors bureau, gvb, mangilao, mangilao guam, mangilao mural, we are guam, we are guam we are mangilao

If you’ll be on Guam in the month of May and love traditional Chamorro dishes from Guam then don’t miss out on the Maila ta fan Boka Festival which is scheduled to take place in the month of May.  The Chamorro phrase “maila ta fan boka” means “come and let’s eat” in English – a suitable name for the festival which will be showcasing traditional dishes from the island of Guam.  The festival is scheduled to coincide with Tourism Month on Guam, which is the month of May.  It is sponsored by the Guam Visitors Bureau along with the Guam Community College, the Micronesian Chefs Association, and GHRA (Guam Hotel and Restaurants Association).   The actual date for the festival hasn’t been announced yet, but the tentative dates for the festival will be either on May 6 to 8, or May 20 to 22.  We’ll be posting more information about the festival as it becomes available so keep coming back for more announcements concerning the Maila ta fan Boka Festival 2010.

Tags: chamorro food, Food, ghra, guam festival, guam food festival, guam hotel and restaurants association, guam visitors bureau, gvb, maila ta fan boka, maila ta fan boka festival, micronesian chefs association

A bill has been introduced by Senator Benjamin Cruz which would force Guam’s adult entertainment establishments like strip clubs, massage parlors, and adult video stores to be forced to relocate away from Tumon, the main tourist district of the island.  The legislation was introduced by the senator as a result of the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, and the Japan Guam Travel Association voicing concerns of aggressive marketing tactics from these adult establishments.  If Guam is to be advertised as a family-friendly travel destination then something must be done with all the advertising and signs promoting the large number of adult businesses along San Vitores Road.

According to Bill 314, adult businesses would need to relocate within 5 years from the Tumon area to areas zoned as M1 or M2 zones.  Based on this information the most practical area these adult business would relocate to would be the Harmon Industrial Park District, creating a sort of  “red light district” for the island of Guam.

Tags: benjamin cruz, ghra, guam adult entertainment, guam adult shops, guam bill 314, guam hotel and restaurant association, guam strip clubs, guam visitors bureau, gvb, japan guam travel association, senator benjamin cruz, tumon

Although the amount of tourists who visited Guam increased in September, the total amount of visitors for the year will fall short of the total visitors compared to last year according to the Guam Visitors Bureau.

Last year the island saw an overall total of 1.14 million visitors to Guam for the year, while projections for this year will be around 1.05 million tourists.  A survey by GVB also showed that tourists who come to Guam are also spending less on average than they did last year.

The decline in Guam’s tourism industry is more than likely a result of the bad global economy, but with analysts saying the worst is over hopefully our tourism industry will begin to pickup next year.  One aspect which might help improve the amount of visitors to Guam in the near future is the current decline of the United States dollar when compared to other world currencies.  A weak U.S. dollar makes it more affordable for visitors from other countries to vacation in U.S. destinations while hopefully spending more, as the weak U.S. dollar give these international visitors more spending power during their vacation.  The current decline in the U.S. dollar with respect to the Japanese yen can be a positive situation for Guam, as a majority of tourists who visit Guam come from Japan.

Tags: guam tourism industry, guam tourism statistics, guam tourism stats, guam tourist, guam visitors bureau, gvb, Tourism

If your on island between October 16-18, 2009 mark your calendars for the 22nd Guam Micronesia Island Fair which is hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau at Ypao Beach Park in Tumon.  The theme of the 22nd Guam Micronesia Island Fair is “Celebrating Our Building Traditions” with traditional hut builders erecting a Chamorro Hut in the park as well as a traditional Kosrae cooking house.

Various islands around the Marianas and Micronesia  (Saipan, Rota, Yap, Chuuk, Tinian, Palau, and many more…) will be participating in this year’s fair sharing their culture, arts, crafts, and traditions for those people who come to participate in the Micronesia Island Fair.  In addition, there will be cultural performances, various products for sale, and a showcase of outrigger canoes by TASI, a non-profit group whose mission is to preserve the knowledge and art of traditional Pacific island navigation.

So if your interested in learning more about the culture and traditions of the Micronesian people and the Marianas come join the island at Ypao Beach Park from October 16-18.

Tags: 22nd guam micronesia island fair, 22nd micronesia island fair, chamorro hut, Culture, guam micronesia island fair, guam micronesian island fair, guam products, guam visitors bureau, gvb, micronesia culture, micronesia island fair, micronesian island fair, tasi, traditions about seafaring islands, tumon, ypao beach park

A new farmers market where locals and tourists can buy locally grown fruits and vegetables opened up at the Chamorro Village today.  The farmers market is open during the weekdays from 10:00am to 6:00pm and is a great outlet for Guam’s local farmers to sell their produce.  Hopefully this will encourage more local farmers on the island to increase production of fresh locally grown products, food, fruits, and vegetables.

If your visiting the island, or are even a local, looking to experience what locally grown produce our island has to offer we encourage you to stop by the Chamorro Village to help support Guam’s local farmers!  Si Yu’us Ma’ase (Thank You)!

Tags: chamorro village, guam farmer, guam farmers, guam farmers market, guam fruit, guam fruits, guam vegetable, guam vegetables, local guam produce

If your wondering where all the rain is coming from lately it is because a typhoon is approaching near Guam and the Northern Marianas.  Typhoon Choi-Wan will make its closest approach to the island tommorrow afternoon.  The typhoon doesn’t pose a threat to the island of Guam because it won’t pass in close proximity to Guam to be much of a threat, but the island will still experience lots of rain and high surf because of the typhoon.  So expect a wet and rainy next few days on the island!

Tags: guam storm, guam tropical storm, guam typhoon, typhoon choi wan, Weather

If you haven’t heard already, there will be a partial solar eclipse viewable on Guam starting at around 11:00am on July 22, 2009  and lasting until about 2:00pm.  The solar eclipse will maximize at 12:53pm at which time it will be the most noticeable when the moon covers about 75% of the sun from our view.  Guam is one of the few places which is part of the U.S. which will be able to view the solar eclipse because of the path the moon takes in the sky in addition to the time at which the solar eclipse takes place.  Watch the KUAM News report about the solar eclipse below:

Tags: 2009 guam solar eclipse, 2009 solar eclipse, guam eclipse, guam solar eclipse, pam eastlick, solar eclipse on guam

Today marks the 65th Liberation Day of Guam, and Guam Portal would like to wish everyone on Guam a Happy Liberation Day!  If you haven’t already done so you should stop by Paseo Park and check out the Liberation Day Carnival or head on over towards the Hagatna area along Marine Drive to watch the Liberation Day Parade!

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!

Tags: 2009 liberation day guam, guam carnival, guam liberation, guam liberation carnival, guam liberation day, guam liberation day parade, liberation day, liberation day carnival, liberation day guam, liberation day on guam, liberation day parade

The 2009 Liberation Day Carnival opens tomorrow at Paseo Park in Hagatna in celebration of the 65th Annual Liberation of Guam and will run through August 2, 2009.  Participants can expect a fun and exciting night filled with amusement rides, games, food, local Chamorro arts and crafts, and entertainment from local Guam bands and artists.  This year’s carnival will be more focused on showcasing the culture of the island in a more family-friendly atmosphere.

If your visiting the island, Guam’s Liberation Day Carnival is one event you should experience at least once while your here.  You’ll be able to enjoy Chamorro food, experience Guam’s culture, and meet friendly people from Guam.  The Liberation Day Carnival is one of the largest events held yearly on the island of Guam and everyone from the island usually visits the carnival at least once during the few weeks it is open.

Hours for Guam’s 2009 Liberation Day Carnival are:
Monday to Thursday: 6pm-12am
Friday: 6pm-2am
Weekends, July 4, and July 21: 2pm-12am

Tags: 2009 liberation day carnival, Culture, Events, guam carnival, guam event, guam liberation, guam liberation day, guam liberation day carnival, liberation day carnival