Tumon Bay with Two Lovers Point in the background. Photo credit: Guam Visitors Bureau
Guam has been in the headlines in recent days and weeks due to a potential threat from North Korea to fire missiles in the direction of the U.S. territory. Despite the dark cloud of looming concerns, the sun is shining bright over this island in the Pacific Ocean. Guam Visitors Bureau President and CEO Nathan Denight insists “it’s business as usual.”
“There has been no increase in Guam’s threat level. Guam is U.S. soil and remains safe and protected,” he tells Smart Meetings. “Additionally, an annual joint military exercise is being planned for this August.”
Known for its “breathtaking panoramic views to soft white-sand beaches and spectacular sunsets,” the U.S. territory has over 20 hotels housing meeting space and in excess of 9,450 guest rooms to accommodate groups of any size. The island has a population of 160,000-plus people and welcomes more than 1.5 million tourists annually.
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Summit at the Dusit Thani’s Guam Convention Center in May 2016.
Photo credit: Guam Visitors Bureau
“Guam plays host to hundreds of groups every year. For example, in Fiscal Year 2016, [we] welcomed over 225 [meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions] groups,” Denight says. “That number continues to grow and has already been exceeded in FY 2017.”
The threat level has never been elevated due to the North Korean situation and it has not caused groups to cancel meetings. In the event of an attack, meeting professionals can rest assured that “Guam has a very developed emergency system,” according to Denight. “Guam is always prepared because of natural disasters that occur around our region of the world such as typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis.”
Contrary to reports stating the emergency alert system was accidentally set off a few days ago, Denight explains this was a regularly scheduled test. There are also three hospitals—Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Regional Medical City and Naval Hospital.
Guam-Museum. Photo credit: Guam Visitors Bureau
“Guam continues to be a safe and protected destination, and anyone planning to visit Guam should continue with their plans,” Denight assures. “The island has world-class facilities ready to accommodate visiting groups and many optional tours and activities that showcase Guam’s beauty, hospitality, shopping, food and culture.”
Travelers can easily access the island on direct flights from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Hawaii and the Philippines. Guests flying from the continental United States can connect in Hawaii or Japan.
