Visitguam.org

CNN to Broadcast Guam TV Commercial

(Tuesday, January 20, 2009; Tumon, Guam) As reported last week, CNN International will air a commercial promoting Guam titled ?Visit Guam.? GVB was notified this week that CNN has added an additional 10 airings of the commercial.

The commercial schedule was provided to GVB at no cost, in response to a complaint made to CNN over a news report in which footage of Yap was misidentified as being Guam.

The TV commercials will air for one week, beginning yesterday, January 19 through the 25th. The revised schedule below indicates the times when the commercial will air on Guam. Please note these times are tentative and subject to change due to breaking news stories covered by CNN.

Program Name                                 Date                      Time                      Material
SPECIAL PROGRAMMING         1/21/2009              9:15:00A               VISIT GUAM
CAMPBELL BROWN                   1/21/2009              10:45:00A             VISIT GUAM
LARRY KING LIVE                      1/21/2009              3:40:00P                VISIT GUAM
WORLD NEWS                            1/22/2009              8:15:00A                VISIT GUAM
CNN TODAY                               1/22/2009              10:05:00A              VISIT GUAM
WORLD SPORT                          1/22/2009               2:55:00P                VISIT GUAM
CNN TODAY                              1/23/2009               6:05:00P                 VISIT GUAM
CNN TODAY                             1/23/2009                6:10:00P                 VISIT GUAM
WORLD NEWS                         1/23/2009                10:15:00P                VISIT GUAM
WORLD NEWS                         1/24/2009                8:15:00A                  VISIT GUAM
CNN TODAY                            1/24/2009                10:05:00A                VISIT GUAM
WORLD SPORT                       1/24/2009                 2:50:00P                  VISIT GUAM
MAIN SAIL                              1/25/2009                 2:15:00P                   VISIT GUAM
FAREED ZAKARIA                 1/25/2009                 11:52:00A                 VISIT GUAM

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For more information: Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager
Email: gsap43@yahoo.com

Marcel G. Camacho, Deputy General Manager
Email: marcel@visitguam.org

2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race A Huge Success

(Wednesday, October 22, 2008; Tumon, Guam) The 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race was an enormous success, according to race organizers and the Guam Visitors Bureau. The total number of competitors was 702 runners, an increase of 13% over last year?s race. The Guam Ko?ko? Road Race also realized an increase of over 200% in the number of participants from Japan, a clear indication that GVB?s marketing efforts in Japan to promote the event were well received. Two celebrity runners from the Philippines also competed, with Pepito Deapera taking overall first place in the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race with a winning time of 1:18:14.

The individual race of the Guam Ko?ko? Road Race was increased to half marathon length this year, adding an additional 1.08K to the course. Another change over previous years, the Ekiden relay race started at the same time as the individual race with runners making the turn around at the 20K point while individual competitors continued on to the half marathon turn around at the War in the Pacific park in Asan village.

The overall winners of the Ekiden team competition was the U.S. Navy Team with a time of 1:20:24, the U.S. Air Force team came in a mere two second behind the Navy to take second place. The Muroto Super Express Military team from Japan, who has competed in the Guam Ko?ko? Road Race?s Ekiden relay race every year since inception, took third place.

Final results for the half marathon show Hyun Suk Lee and Sang Ki Kim, both from Korea, taking second

and third respectively behind Deapera?s first place finish. The first local runner from Guam to place was Sung Ja Ahn, who was also the first female competitor to cross the finish line, coming in fifth overall, and Rodney Bordallo, who took seventh place overall.

The race course was lined with cheering crowds, many of them cultural performers on Guam to participate in the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair. The live entertainment that takes place along the course is a unique feature of the Guam Ko?ko? Road Race and greatly appreciated by the competitors.

For official results and other information about the Guam Ko?ko? Road Race, visit www.jtltiming.com and click on RUNNING. Racers can also print out a special certificate of participation at the website by entering their bib numbers.

The Guam Visitors Bureau would like to extend a special Dangkolo na Si Yu?os ma?�se to the sponsors of the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race, Continental Airlines, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, the stations of KUAM, the Department of Chamorro Affairs, and the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency (CAHA).

GVB would also like to congratulate all of the participants of the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race, with special congratulations going to the winners. The 2009 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2009 and details will be uploaded to the GVB website very soon.

The following pictures, along with the picture at the beginning of this release, are from the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race. High resolution copies are available upon request.

The US Navy team crossed the finish line in overall first place for the Ekiden Relay Race.

This time lapse photo shows the 4th runner of the winning Ekiden team crossing the finish line.

Sung Ja Ahn was the first overall female winner of the individual half marathon.

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For more information: Mary C. Torres, Deputy General Manager
Email: marytorres@visitguam.org

Guam Preparing for the Biggest Culture Event of the Year

(Thursday, August 21, 2008; Tumon, Guam) Guam?s largest cultural fair, hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau, is being planned with an eye to this year?s theme, Celebrating Our Seafaring Traditions. The Guam Micronesia Island Fair, in its 21st year, is a celebration of the island cultures, arts, and performances of the entire Micronesia region. Seafaring traditions are the focal point of this year?s fair and the master canoe builders of Micronesia will gather to showcase their art in tribute of 2008 being the Year of the Proa, the local word for the handcrafted seagoing canoes of Guam and Micronesia.

The 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair will be held at Guam?s Ypao Beach Park from October 17 ? 19 and like past fairs, will welcome representatives from all parts of Micronesia. Currently, the islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (Saipan, Rota, and Tinian) will participate along with the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae), the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and of course, the host of the fair, Guam USA.

The Guam Micronesia Island Fair will feature cultural performances, exhibits of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, many products from Guam and Micronesia that will be available for purchase, a traditional Chamorro Hut display, and a botanical garden. A display of traditional outrigger canoes will be displayed, courtesy of Project Proa and TASI ? Traditions About Seafaring Islands. TASI will also be giving rides on a real proa. Local produce and livestock will be exhibited and there will be plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Food and drink booths, many featuring authentic Micronesian cuisine, will insure tummies stay happy and full during the Guam Micronesia Island Fair.

Two other signature events will occur during the weekend of the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair. The 10th Annual Micronesia Cup (Outrigger Canoe Races) will take place over the weekend and on Sunday, runners from around the world will participate in the 3rd Guam Ko?ko? Road Race, also sponsored by GVB. An exciting feature of the Guam Ko?ko? Road Race is the live cultural entertainment that takes place along the streets of the race course and the many local spectators that come out to cheer the runners on.

If anyone is interested in becoming a vendor at the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair, there is still plenty of time to sign up. Applications are available online at www.visitguam.org, click on the logo and then

select Vendors. All the information needed is in this section of the website, including the application form. Interested parties can also pick up an application at GVB?s offices in Tumon during regular business hours or contact event organizer Ruder Integrated Marketing Strategies for additional information on how to participate in the fair. Organizers would like to encourage food vendors who offer snacks, confectionary items, and fiesta-style food plates to participate in the fair.

Artists wishing to showcase their art at the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair are encouraged to apply! All artists must be registered with CAHA and can do so by contacting Jackie at (need details). Specifically, organizers are looking for traditional and contemporary arts and crafts from Guam and Micronesia, products made in Guam and Micronesia, cultural games, local produce and plants.

The deadline for artists and vendors to submit their applications is 5 pm on Friday, September 12, 2008.

The Guam Visitors Bureau would like to thank the presenting sponsors of the 21st Guam Micronesia Island Fair for helping to make this the biggest fair in history. Special thanks to Continental Airlines, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and the stations of KUAM.

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For more information: Sally Malay, Event Coordinator
Ruder Integrated Marketing Strategies
Email: gmif@visitguam.org

2008 Guam Ko'ko Road Race Scheduled for October

(Thursday, August 21, 2008; Tumon, Guam) The Guam Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce that the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race will be held on Sunday, October 19. To attract additional serious athletes, this year?s Guam Ko?ko? Road Race has been expanded to an individual half marathon, increasing the length of the race to 21.08K, or 13.1 miles. The four person Ekiden, or relay race, will remain a 20K event with each team member completing a 5K leg.

The Guam Ko?ko? Road Race, now in its third year, is one of GVB?s key signature events and traditionally held during the weekend of the Guam Micronesia Island Fair. Last year?s race welcomed a 64% increase in participation with over 600 runners competing along one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The course, which runs along Guam?s lovely East Agana Bay, has been slightly modified this year to accommodate the half marathon length yet still begins and ends at Ypao Beach Park, where GVB?s offices are located.

Trophies will be awarded to the top overall male, female, and overall team division winners. The overall team winners from the Corporate and Military teams will be recognized on the perpetual trophies for these divisions. Medals will be presented to the top three teams in each division. In addition, Guam Ko?ko? Road Race sponsor Continental Airlines has graciously donated round trip economy class tickets for the overall male and female winners to return to Guam for the 2009 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race. All finishers will receive a medal for their participation in this year?s race.

The Guam Ko?ko? Road Race was created by GVB to garner increased interest in the island by international athletes, but more importantly, to bring attention to the plight of Guam?s territorial bird, the Guam Rail or Ko?ko? bird. The Ko?ko? is a flightless bird, endemic to Guam, who?s numbers have been decimated to near extinction by the brown tree snake, pesticides, and other predators. Efforts to save the Ko?ko? from extinction are ongoing and in 1995, a hundred Ko?ko? birds were released on Rota, the Mariana island just north of Guam, where there are no snakes.

The Guam Rail also thrives in 17 zoos in the US mainland, but the most exciting news is that the Ko?ko? has been successfully re-released into the wild on Guam, in a 60-acre, snake free zone located on Andersen Air Force Base, where breeding pairs have produced 10 chicks so far. Guam?s Department of Agriculture is also working to rid Cocos Island, the tiny island located just off Guam?s southern shore, of predators so the Ko?ko? may also be re-released there as well. It is these efforts that GVB plans to continue supporting through the Guam Ko?ko? Road Race.

Interested athletes may register for the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race online by clicking on the race logo at GVB?s website, www.visitguam.org/main, and scrolling through ?Fast Facts? to the Register Online button. Local participants may register and pay the registration fee at GVB?s offices in Tumon during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and at Hornet Sporting Goods in Tamuning. (Payments can be made by cash or credit card.)

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Continental Airlines, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, and the stations of KUAM. For more information about the 2008 Guam Ko?ko? Road Race, please visit GVB?s website or contact koko@visitguam.org

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For more information: Eric Tydingco, Race Director
Email: koko@visitguam.org

Guam in Top 10 Destinations Among Japanese Travelers

(Thursday, August 7, 2008; Tumon, Guam) The Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) released the 2008 top destination choices among Japanese travelers surveyed and for the third year in a row, Guam ranked in the top 20. In fact, Guam?s popularity as a favored destination jumped an impressive eleven places to be ranked as the number eight most popular destination choice in Japan.

The 2008 Most Desired Destinations report ranks Guam as the number eight most popular destination, a dramatic change over the previous two years. Guam?s surge in popularity can be attributed to the lower impact of fuel surcharges in comparison to farther destinations, renewed intensity in sales promotions initiatives including celebrity endorsements and a refreshed culturally driven message.

?This is great news for Guam and GVB,? said General Manager Gerald S. A. Perez, ?It means that we are geographically and competitively positioned to take advantage of an opportunity created by the current business environment. The challenge now is seeing how best we can capture this opportunity.?

GVB is currently accepting Request for Proposals to retain a research firm in Japan that will aid the bureau in maintaining its elevated status as a destination of choice in the country. The deadline to submit a proposal is 5 pm, August 15.

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For more information: Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager
Email: gsap43@yahoo.com

Pilar Laguana, Marketing Manager
Email: plaguana@visitguam.org

Guam Visitors Bureau
Tel: 671-646-5278/9
Fax: 671-646-8861

Malaysia's Largest Travel Trade Fair to Promote Guam USA

Malaysia?s Largest Travel Trade Fair To Promote Guam USA

(Thursday, August 7, 2008; Tumon, Guam) The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) will be holding the MATTA Fair - Kuala Lumpur 2008 from September 5 ? 7 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During the event, which is touted as Malaysia?s number one travel fair, visitors can take advantage of special packages to Guam that will be available through select travel agents participating in the event. Malaysia is one of the approved countries participating in the Guam Visa Waiver Program, allowing Malaysian visitors to travel to Guam and stay for fifteen days without a visa. Travelers are not allowed to travel to any other US destination during their visit to Guam USA.

The MATTA Fair ? Kuala Lumpur 2008 attracts thousands of visitors who come to hear about the latest range of travel and holiday packages being offered to potential travelers. During this year?s MATTA Fair ? Kuala Lumpur, special packages to Guam via Continental and Philippine Airlines will be available through Parlo Tour, Resort World, Tour Land, Skyworld, Orange Holiday World, and First Travel.

The Guam Visitors Bureau is supporting the effort to garner increased visitors from Malaysia by providing posters, brochures, and other promotional items from Guam to all of the agents selling the special Guam packages.

MATTA is the largest travel trade organization in Malaysia with over 2,000 members and is also the national representative for the travel industry in the region. In addition to operating the MATTA School of Tourism, MATTA also organizes seminars, conventions, and workshops regularly throughout the year to improve public awareness in Malaysia of the tourism industry. The MATTA Fair - Kuala Lumpur 2008 is the largest of the many events MATTA coordinates each year.

The GVB is very happy that these fine travel agents have selected to promote Guam as part of the packages they?ll be offering to the MATTA Fair ? Kuala Lumpur participants. ?GVB?s participation in the MATTA Fair, while limited, is an excellent example of how GVB is diversifying its target markets and increasing the interest in our beautiful island from emerging markets in a manner that is both effective and extremely economical,? said Marketing Manager Pilar Lagua�a.

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For more information: Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager
Email: gsap43@yahoo.com

Pilar Laguana, Marketing Manager
Email: plaguana@visitguam.org

Guam Visitors Bureau
Tel: 671-646-5278/9
Fax: 671-646-8861

Guam Announces New Celebrity Guam Representative in Japan

(Monday, June 23, 2008; Tumon, Guam) The Governor of Guam Felix P. Camacho and the Guam Visitors Bureau hosted a special reception at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hotel Ball Room on Thursday, June 19 to recognize one of Japan?s best-loved movie stars and performers, Hiroshi Tachi, as our island?s new representative in Japan. Tachi, who has starred in 19 movies and released 20 albums in his country, has visited Guam several times and considers the island one of his favorite vacation destinations.

An audience of nearly 300 watched as Tachi was presented with the title Guam Ambassador at Large by Governor Camacho, including Japanese government officials Nobuteru Ishihara, a representative in Japan?s House of Representatives, Chairman of Federation of Tokyo Metropolitan Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); Hirotake Ishihara, Okiharu Yasuoka, Yoshitaka Murata, Japanese politicians of the LDP, members of the House of Representatives in the Diet; and Tsukasa Akimoto a Japanese politician of the LDP, a member of the House of Councilors in the Diet. Also in the attendance were members of the Guam delegation, including First Lady Joanne Camacho, GVB Chairman David Tydingco, Miss Guam Tourism Tiffany de Gracia, along with representatives from the Japanese Media, travel agencies, and airlines.

Chairman Tydingco spoke about our island?s efforts to promote the intrinsic natural beauty of Guam and to enhance services aimed at solidifying Guam?s position as a destination that appeals to a broad segment of visitors. He also stressed the advantages of the island?s location and our finest characteristics to further attract seniors and executive travelers.

Speaking about Hiroshi Tachi?s appointment as Ambassador At-Large, Governor Camacho praised the actor?s combination of style and vigor, naming him the ideal spokesperson to promote the island?s ?Luxury Guam? image. In addition, Governor Camacho shared his high expectations for Tachi?s success as Ambassador At-Large, to improve Japan?s perception of Guam as a quality destination.

Tachi and Governor Camacho have been acquainted for many years, since Tachi, a frequent visitor to Guam, was a guest at the Governor?s residence. Over the years, Tachi and Governor Camacho have become good friends sharing an avid love of golf and Guam, which provided a warm and friendly atmosphere for the inauguration ceremony, which was deemed a huge success. The Guam Visitors Bureau will continue its efforts to nurture good relations with Japan and is looking forward to increased market share with Hiroshi Tachi as Guam?s new representative.

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For more information: Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager
Email: gsap43@yahoo.com

Pilar Laguana, Marketing Manager
Email: plaguana@visitguam.org

Guam Visitors Bureau
Tel: 671-646-5278/9
Fax: 671-646-8861

Malaysian Travel Agents Visit Guam USA

(Wednesday, May 22, 2008; Tumon, Guam) A group of five travel agents from Malaysia participated in a Familiarization Tour of Guam from May 12 - 15. The group conducted a series of inspection tours of several of Guam's hotels and resorts to familiarize themselves with the island's accommodations and activities in order to create new Guam packages for their clientele.

The Malaysian FAM tour was conducted in response to Continental Micronesia's three new holiday packages that were made available on May 1. Designed for a minimum of two travelers, the special packages include a three night stay in one of Guam's premium hotels, meals, and exciting sightseeing tours of the island. Travelers from Malaysia do not need a visa for visits up to 15 days to Guam.

To effectively share the Guam experience with their clients, the Malaysian FAM tour included some of optional tours available to visitors, like dolphin watching, cultural performances, and the Chamorro Village Wednesday Night Market.

"Familiarization tours remain an excellent way for travel agents to learn firsthand about the many activities and options available for visitors to Guam," said Marketing Manager Pilar Lagua�a, "The wonderful packages Continental has developed will encourage visitors from Malaysia to come and have the same great experience the travel agents enjoyed."

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For more information: Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager
Email: gsap43@yahoo.com

Pilar Laguana, Marketing Manager
Email: plaguana@visitguam.org

Japan to Promote Guam as a Key Destination in its Visit World Campaign

(Friday, May 16, 2008; Tumon, Guam) The government of Japan, through the Tourism Nation Promotion Act, has launched the Visit World Campaign to encourage the expansion of two-way tourism between Japan and the world. With the goal of increasing the number of outbound Japanese tourists to 20 million by 2010, the Visit World Campaign has identified nine National Tourism Offices as outstanding examples worthy of replication by their peers.

The Guam Visitors Bureau was named one of the National Tourism Offices whose organizational and marketing practices were deemed highly successful and recognized by the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) as an example for other NTOs to follow. Guam is known for its strong sales and marketing effort in Japan, from where 80% of the island's visitors originate.

"When GVB first heard about the Visit World Campaign, Governor Camacho contacted them to inquire as to how Guam could become involved," said General Manager Gerald S.A. Perez, "We were very honored to be invited to participate and are excited about what this will mean for Guam."

"The Visit World Campaign was established to energize Japan's overseas travel market at a time when departures to key destinations had been sluggish, and more recently in slight decline," said Perez. "We are very happy that Guam was selected to participate as a key destination."

Japan's Visit World Campaign will include media promotions throughout the country for specific destinations, of which Guam is a part, as well as direct marketing and the VWC Tourism Friendship Ambassador program. Guam has carefully nurtured its relationship with Japan over the years and enjoys a healthy number of repeat visitors from its largest tourist market as a result.

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For more information: Gerald S.A. Perez, General Manager
Email: gsap43@yahoo.com

Pilar Laguana, Marketing Manager
Email: plaguana@visitguam.org

Guam Visitors Bureau
Tel: 671-646-5278/9
Fax: 671-646-8861

GVB Visitors Guide Goes Digital

The Guam Visitors Bureau has partnered with ModernAgent to provide in-depth visitor information about Guam and the island's many activities in an easy to use digital format. The digitalized version of the GVB Visitor Guide has been sent to 25,000 tour agents and is also available online at Modern Agent?s website.