By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

A lawmaker has proposed using hotel revenues as a funding source for the new Guam museum.
Sen. Tina Muna Barnes, D-Mangilao, has filed Bill 51, which calls for a $3 surcharge to be added daily to the cost of hotel rooms, which will then be used as additional funding for the Guam museum and other cultural facilities.
“I think most of us believe that protecting, preserving, and promoting our culture and history should be a top priority, but it’s expensive. A source of funding has always been an impediment to progress,” the senator said.
With the introduction of Bill 51, the senator said a source of funding would provide a steady and consistent stream of money for the island’s culture and heritage facilities, including a new museum.
“Surveys conducted by the Guam Visitors Bureau show that many of our visitors want more cultural activities and experiences. We have always needed to find a steady source of income to help us preserve and promote our culture,” the senator said.
If Bill 51 is passed, it would cost the average tourist $4.20 more to visit Guam, according to GVB statistics.
However, Barnes said this is only a small amount per visitor. The upside is that it adds up to more than $4 million per year, which can be used to fund the island’s culture and heritage facilities.
“With that kind of income, it would be possible to borrow or float a bond to build facilities that would celebrate our island and our history,” the senator said.
Sen. Rory Respicio, D-Agana Heights, introduced an earlier version of Bill 51 in the previous Legislature. Bill 51 is just a slightly updated version of the previous bill.
“Sen. Respicio is my co-sponsor and we both hope to get support from our cultural organizations and the visitor industry. This bill will give us the funding we need and the best part is that it will be paid for by our visitors. This is not an additional tax on the local people,” Barnes said.
Aside from providing for a hotel surcharge, the bill also creates a Guahan Heritage Facilities Board within the Department of Chamorro Affairs. The board would manage the Guahan Heritage Facilities Fund, which would be the depository of the hotel room surcharge.