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
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr., commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said during his keynote address that Guam is a strategic asset for America’s deterrence strategy in the Pacific.
According to a recent report by the Guam Visitors Bureau, visitors to Guam generated about $1.4 billion in direct, indirect, and reduced impacts to Guam’s economy.
In an unusual move, the U.S. Navy in Guam has widely publicized the issuance of a Request for Proposals for housing for accompanied and unaccompanied personnel, more than a year after a Request for Information appeared.
