BY DANIEL M. PEREZ
Journal Staff
PITI, Guam — The Japan-flagged cruise vessel Asuka III arrived at the Port Authority of Guam on May 6, carrying 311 passengers and 429 crew members for a two-day regional voyage through the Pacific.
Rory J. Respicio, general manager of the Port Authority of Guam, said cruise visits continue to highlight the island as a premier destination in the Pacific while providing economic activity for the tourism and business community. The vessel, which made its maiden call to Guam in December 2025, is scheduled to depart at 5p.m. on May 7, continuing its scheduled pacific voyage.
Passengers are expected to visit local attractions, restaurants, and retail establishments, contributing to the visitor economy through organized local tours and cultural hospitality coordinated by the Guam Visitors Bureau.
In other Government of Guam news, the island’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.1%, a record low in the last three decades. The rate represents a 0.4% decrease from September and a total decline of 0.8% since December 2024, with the size of the labor force holding steady as more residents enter the job market.
Joshua F. Tenorio, acting governor, said the figures demonstrate that workforce training investments are helping residents secure stable, career-building positions. Tenorio noted that the government is working with the private sector, the military, and investors to identify in-demand roles and prepare the local workforce for career-track jobs.
David M. Dell’Isola, director of the Guam Department of Labor, said the 3.1% rate confirms that employers are facing difficulty finding workers for open positions, particularly at the entry level. Dell’Isola emphasized that the department is prioritizing apprenticeships and on-the-job training to transition residents into higher-skill, higher-wage careers.
Gary Hiles, chief economist, noted that the economy received a boost in the fourth quarter of 2025 through increased construction and a rebound in tourism. According to Hiles, total visitor arrivals increased by 42% in December 2025 compared to the previous year, supporting job growth in hotels and tourism-related industries. mbj
Journal Staff
PITI, Guam — The Japan-flagged cruise vessel Asuka III arrived at the Port Authority of Guam on May 6, carrying 311 passengers and 429 crew members for a two-day regional voyage through the Pacific.
Rory J. Respicio, general manager of the Port Authority of Guam, said cruise visits continue to highlight the island as a premier destination in the Pacific while providing economic activity for the tourism and business community. The vessel, which made its maiden call to Guam in December 2025, is scheduled to depart at 5p.m. on May 7, continuing its scheduled pacific voyage.
Passengers are expected to visit local attractions, restaurants, and retail establishments, contributing to the visitor economy through organized local tours and cultural hospitality coordinated by the Guam Visitors Bureau.
In other Government of Guam news, the island’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.1%, a record low in the last three decades. The rate represents a 0.4% decrease from September and a total decline of 0.8% since December 2024, with the size of the labor force holding steady as more residents enter the job market.
Joshua F. Tenorio, acting governor, said the figures demonstrate that workforce training investments are helping residents secure stable, career-building positions. Tenorio noted that the government is working with the private sector, the military, and investors to identify in-demand roles and prepare the local workforce for career-track jobs.
David M. Dell’Isola, director of the Guam Department of Labor, said the 3.1% rate confirms that employers are facing difficulty finding workers for open positions, particularly at the entry level. Dell’Isola emphasized that the department is prioritizing apprenticeships and on-the-job training to transition residents into higher-skill, higher-wage careers.
Gary Hiles, chief economist, noted that the economy received a boost in the fourth quarter of 2025 through increased construction and a rebound in tourism. According to Hiles, total visitor arrivals increased by 42% in December 2025 compared to the previous year, supporting job growth in hotels and tourism-related industries. mbj
