Home Depot on Guam is implementing a limit of 130 persons in the store at one time and marking the line so people can keep a six-foot social distance from each other. Photo by David Castro/The Guam Daily Post
GVB spokesman Josh Tyquiengco said would-be visitors from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and now the U.S. are canceling bookings for flights, hotel rooms, and some optional tours. He said the cancellations primarily cover visits scheduled in February, March and April.
Most cancellations are from people who don’t want to be in crowded places or go to their own airport, Tyquiengco said.
The situation isn’t all grim, however. Some travelers are returning to make new reservations for later dates.
Guam hasn’t had a confirmed case of the virus.
While GVB’s report shows no increase of cancellations from Japan, the number of tourist cancellations from Korea has increased by 752 since last week.
Total preliminary cancellations by market:
⦁ Korea – 5,358
⦁ Japan – 481
⦁ USA – 175
⦁ Taiwan – 43
⦁ Hong Kong – 6
On Wednesday last week, the agency reported 5,128 preliminary cancellations with the highest cancellations coming from Guam’s two major tourist markets, Japan and Korea.
Tyquiengco said GVB is constantly monitoring the source markets and sharing information that reinforces protocols in place for safety and hygiene while traveling.
“This situation is constantly changing,” he said. “The good news with the cancellations is that people are rebooking.”
According to Tyquiengco, Korea had over 2,400 new reservations last week, which included rebookings for future travel to the island.
Tyquiengco added that GVB is planning a forum on the coronavirus, similar to the one held on dengue fever.
The date of the forum is scheduled on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon. The location of the venue will be announced soon. He said the forum will include representatives from the Department of Public Health and Social Services.
