Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo has told US President Trump that he expects tourism to grow even more on the Pacific island (US territory) once the current ‘missile threat’ hopefully subsides – while the world continues to call for calm and renewed mediation between all parties.

 

Calvo told Trump only recently that Guam currently enjoys 95% occupancy levels, but he actually believes this will increase to 110% once the current tensions calm down.

 

All of which is absolutely crucial to the island, considering Guam’s 160,000 population is largely dependent on tourism, which mostly drives the island’s $5bn economy.

 

GUAM IS SAFE, SAYS GOVERNOR AND TRUMP

The governor has already addressed the people of Guam in a special message where he relayed President Trump’s assurances that despite the rhetoric from North Korea, the population ‘is safe’ – a message which was also underlined by US Chief of Staff John Kelly.

 

Calvo said Trump told him that the US was ‘one thousand per cent’ behind Guam – a message he said (in a special video to the people) was appreciated by everyone: “He is providing a very clear message that any threat to Americans, whether it is here in our island paradise in the western Pacific, or in California, or in New York… that he will ensure our protection.

 

“This isn’t the first time that we have had threats lobbed against our island, but this time knowing that we have a president and a White House and a military that is watching out for us gives me a great deal of comfort.”

 

Having said this the Governor’s office has also stated that should a real emergency arise then Guam Homeland Security will deploy mass alerts to warn people as far as is possible. This will include more than a dozen alarm sirens, plus television and radio warnings, social media and any other available avenues.

 

 

GUAM RESIDENTS ALL RECEIVE CIVIL DEFENCE ADVICE

Following North Korea’s threat to launch missiles that would apparently land in the sea near Guam, civil population emergency fact sheets have already been distributed and made available to Guam’s 160,000-strong population by Guam Homeland Security and the Office of Civil Defense.

 

The two-page fact sheet is entitled ‘In Case of Emergency… preparing for an Imminent Missile Threat’. This contains information on preparations, what to do should there be an attack and basic advice on best practice once it is over.

 

 

GUAM ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO COME…

Meanwhile, the Guam Visitors Bureau has joined with the call from Governor Calvo for business as usual, while encouraging tourists who have booked Guam vacations to continue with the plans. A similar message has also been relayed by the Guam Chamber of Commerce (GCC) in response to ‘North Korea’s threats on our island’

 

The GCC said: “It is business as usual on Guam. The Guam Chamber of Commerce remains steadfast in its conviction that Guam is, and will continue to be, economically sound and is a safe and protected area to visit and do business.

 

“Our Government works around the clock with local and federal offices of Homeland Security, and our US military to ensure the safety of our island, our citizens and visitors at all times.

 

“We encourage members to stay diligent and make necessary precautions as any business would to protect the health and safety of its employees and patrons.”

 

NEW TOURISM RECORD…

Alongside the aforementioned 95% tourism occupancy level, it was only earlier this month that Governor Calvo announced that tourism visitor arrivals to Guam had broken all previous records in July.

 

The Guam Visitors Bureau reported that the island welcomed 132,952 visitors in July – an 8.1% increase when compared to the previous year. This also surpassed the previous record monthly arrivals number set back in 1997.

 

Guam’s second top visitor market (after Japan) of South Korea recorded a 25% increase, while US mainland visitor rose 14.9%. The Japanese visitor market registered a decline of 5.2% in visitor arrivals due partially to less flights. This followed the decisions by both Delta and Korean Air to pull out of Osaka and Nagoya airports in Japan.