While we should continue to promote to the Japan market because of the investment we have made over the decades, it is very important to also discuss on how we can bring in the huge numbers other countries are enjoying while we keep our butts in our hands and sit on them.
China and Russia have been two of the major targets Guam has been looking at for quite some time. China has been showing the greatest potential for any country, looking to them for growth numbers. Russia has also shown potential because of the length of their stays. What we haven’t looked at and could very easily get in lucrative numbers is the market of affluent people from the Philippines. Here lies a country defended by the U.S. for more than a century that has shown loyalty like no other friend the U.S. has ever had.
The major things we need to guard against are the potential of overstay, and getting a way to ensure the safe exit of the visitors. While those who apply for a visa need to get or have a guarantor, those who are given a short-term stay on a visa waiver may also be required to have someone to vouch for them. There must be a way for us to bring in the potential markets without the appearance of being discriminatory in the end.
We need more tourists/visitors on Guam and we need them now. We should not wait for a magical formula from the people responsible for promotion to come up with a plan. They have had enough time, I think, and have spent enough money.
FELIX AGUON
Quezon City and Guam
for a while longer
