GVB eyes projects and budget for Hotel Occupancy Bond
The Guam Visitors Bureau has reached out to its members asking for preliminary project proposals.
These may be used “to create the overall budget for a Hotel Occupancy Bond "HOT 2.0" to be submitted to the board of the Guam Visitors Bureau prior to legislative introduction,” according to a Jan. 21 outreach to members.
“Project submissions must have a clear focus on improving the visitor experience and aiding in the recovery of the tourism industry,” the email to members said. All project information shall be made public, however, not the names of individuals submitting projects, GVB said.
George Chiu, chairman of GVB’s board of directors, addressed the board at its first board meeting of 2025 on Jan. 13. Photo from Journal files.
“Not all project submissions will be selected for the final roster of projects for HOT 2.0. Projects will be reviewed by the Guam Visitors Bureau and recommendations made to the Board, Guam Legislature, and Office of the Governor,” GVB also said.
Examples of "HOT Bond Eligible" projects include capital improvement projects on government property, landscape or hardscape renovation on government property, Tumon district improvements for pedestrians, and non-Tumon district improvements heavily trafficked by visitors (e.g. hiking sites)
Projects to improve privately owned land or assets, grants for payroll, and other direct aid to businesses will not be considered, GVB said. mbj
With Super Typhoon Bavi now packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and forecast to strengthen further as it moves toward the Marianas, emergency officials are urging businesses and residents to treat this weekend as their critical window to prepare for potentially damaging winds.
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are now in Condition of Readiness 3 as Typhoon Bavi approaches, with both governors urging residents and businesses to use the remaining hours of fair weather to prepare.
Task Force Talon relinquished command to the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43 ADA), ushering in a new battalion to take over Guam’s air missile defense systems.
Emergency management agencies across the region are urging residents and businesses to execute disaster preparedness plans as Tropical Storm 09W is forecast to rapidly intensify and potentially strike Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category four super typhoon.
