Forging new relationships and protecting our strongest economic growth industry is paramount to our continued prosperity. Guam’s tourism industry must be given equal attention and support even as the planned military build-up moves forward. It is for this reason that we continue to support the China Visa Waiver Program for Guam.
In 2007 Guam’s tourism professionals recognized this opportunity when the U.S. Congress was considering legislation that would modify the Guam Visa Waiver Program by combining it with the newly created program for the CNMI. Since then the Guam Visitors Bureau and Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo have worked diligently on this legislation. The law intended to grant Guam and the CNMI access to business and leisure travelers from the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation. Although there have been significant delays in the implementation of the law by federal authorities, the promulgation of this program will strengthen our tourism based economy.
The chamber continues to stand behind these efforts and will continue to support the Guam Visitors Bureau and Congresswoman Bordallo in their efforts in working with the Department of Homeland Security to grant Guam the same parole status as the CNMI or revise the current DHS guidelines to include China and Russia as visa waiver countries.
China represents the largest and fastest growing potential for tourism in the world with an estimated 50 million plus Chinese citizens capable of traveling. These travelers are becoming increasingly affluent and are among the highest spending tourists around the world. Because Guam is the closest destination to China, we believe that China is a viable major second leg for Guam’s tourism economy. The prospect of expanding beyond the Japanese market to invite investments to Guam would be an added boost to Guam’s stagnant tourism economy.
KALEO S. MOYLAN
Chairman of the Board
Guam Chamber of Commerce
