Guam’s Maga’håga proclaims May as tourism month

(Thursday, May 2, 2019 – Tumon, Guam) Today, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio officially declared May as Tourism Month during a Proclamation ceremony at the Gov. Joseph Flores Memorial Park, overlooking Tumon Bay.

Gov. Leon Guerrero discussed the how the industry continues to improve the quality of life on Guam. Lt. Gov. Tenorio noted that the warmth and Håfa Adai spirit of the people of Guam continues to be recognized worldwide. Island legislators who also spoke during the ceremony, Speaker Tina Muña Barnes and Tourism Committee Chairperson, Sen. Therese Terlaje, echoed the sentiments and recognized the 21,000 women and men who directly support the industry.

Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) President and CEO, Pilar Laguaña said, “There are 170,000 residents on Guam, and we played host to 1.55 million visitors last year. A lot of work went into accomplishing that. Our workforce is the backbone of our industry. We thank them for their great contribution to our island community and the $1.3 billion that they helped to generate for our economy.”

In the crowd, there were many faces of tourism represented -- the Tourism Education Council (TEC), Guam International Airport Authority, the Guam Police Department, the Visitor Safety Officers, leaders from airlines and hotels, small business owners, GVB board members and employees, and W.A.V.E. Club students.

Laguaña added, “Throughout May, we are honoring every person who works in our tourism industry. They help us deliver on our promise to our visitors every single day and make our island experience wonderful for everyone. After all, what’s good for tourism is definitely good for our residents.”

Immediately after the Proclamation ceremony, our island’s leaders and tourism executives joined together to applaud and award the elementary and middle school winners of the Tourism Works Poster and Video Contest. GVB partnered with the Tourism Education Council to host The Tourism Works poster contest for W.A.V.E. Club schools. The contest theme, “Tourism Works for Guam, Tourism Works for Me”, was designed to foster a thoughtful understanding of the benefits of tourism.

Elementary School Winners: 
1st Place: Phaedra Francine Taijeron, Daniel L. Perez Elem. School, 5th Grade
2nd Place: Kyle Aquiningoc, B.P. Carbullido Elem. School, 5th Grade
3rd Place: Leona Cepeda, Juan Mendiola Elem. School, 4th Grade
 
Middle School Winners: 
1st Place: Hermione Princess Tolosa Martinez, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, 8th Grade 
2nd Place: Jessel Marie E. Pantaleon, F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, 8th Grade 
3rd Place: Donita Manacmul, Astumbo Middle School, 7th Grade
 
The ceremony concluded with a commemorative photo at the GUAM #InstaSpot to draw attention to another valuable asset – Guam’s natural beauty.