By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

GUAM is stepping up its online marketing campaign, especially in the all-important Japanese visitor market.
The Guam Visitors Bureau and the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association have partnered to introduce a new Web site campaign called Gohoubi (pronounced Go-Ho-Bee) for Japan, the island’s most lucrative visitor market.
Gohoubi, the Japanese word for “reward,” will simultaneously benefit both Japanese visitors with tons of local information and chances for prizes and participating local businesses with free publicity.
The Gohoubi Web site will feature a map of Guam with little markers on it, noting areas of cultural and historical interest on the island. Visitors click on the marker and a pop up window appears with pictures, a description of the site, and possible opportunities for prizes.
For example, if a visitor clicked on the marker for the Hagatna area, a pop up window would appear describing Hagatna, telling the visitor that it is Guam’s capital, describing landmarks, and other attractions.
There may also be an icon shaped like a treasure box in the pop up box. If the visitor clicks on the treasure box, the next pop up window could contain further information about the village and its attractions or information about a vendor located in the area such as a store in Hagatna.
The new pop up window would have information about the store, where exactly it is located, the type of merchandise, and if the visitor is lucky, there may even be a “treasure” in the box in the form of a prize donated by the store. The store’s pop up window would also include a link to their Web site or an information page where visitors would be encouraged to visit for more details about the venue.
According to GVB, the purpose of Gohoubi is to educate potential Japanese visitors about Guam, excite them about visiting the places they have learned about, and of course, to come and redeem their prizes, which will run the gamut from large prizes such as free trips to Guam to small prizes like a free soft drink.
GVB and the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association want to encourage all local businesses to participate, from the island’s largest corporations to the smallest “mom and pop” stores.
In addition, mayors and residents of each village are invited to develop an idea or free product that can be included on Gohoubi to further promote their respective villages. There is no fee to participate in the Gohoubi Web site promotion, just donate a prize that can only be redeemed in person.
Representatives from Ogilvy & Mather Japan are scheduled to discuss this newest interactive online campaign during GHRA’s 2nd Hotelier and Restaurateur Chapter meeting today at the Outrigger Guam Resort.