GVB president meets Palau president to discuss potential tourism packages
Former Gov. Carl Gutierrez, president and CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau, led a team to Palau to meet with President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. and tourism officials to discuss opportunities to partner together to promote tourism in Palau and Guam.
They discussed working together on tour packages that would potentially route tourists to Guam and then Palau, or vice versa, from Asian markets.
Palau and Guam both rely on tourism as primary economic engines. GVB expects tourism numbers to reach about 60% of pre-COVID-19 this year but that requires aggressive action to attract tourists. That's where Gutierrez hopes to work with Palau, which has seen increased visitor numbers. According to Palau Visitors Authority, Palau had a total of 4,427 visitors in January 2024, marking a 10% rise from December 2023 and a significant 122% increase from January 2023. China led the arrivals, comprising 34%, followed by USA/Canada at 21%, and Taiwan at 18%. Japan's arrival numbers have steadily grown since November 2023, now accounting for 12% of arrivals. Europe, South Korea, and others collectively represent 15% of arrivals.
The Department of Public Works has issued a notice of violation to the developers of the Palisades subdivision, citing “inadequate control of storm water and erosion control features during construction,” which it says led to the Oct. 15 landslide in East Hagåtña.
Bank of Guam announced on Oct. 21 that payment assistance options are available to borrowers impacted by the federal government shutdown and a possible budget cut for the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Guam Environmental Protection Agency said on Oct. 17 that it will be launching an investigation into any potential ramifications that may have been caused by the landslide that occurred on East Agana on Oct.15.
The Department of Public Health and Social Services announced a temporary change to the brands of food items eligible under the Guam Women, Infants, and Children Program benefits, effective Oct. 16.
