Seeing an increase in potential for educational tourism growth on Guam, the Guam Visitors Bureau is positioning the island as a premier destination for Japanese tourists specifically student groups through targeted forums and partnerships.
GVB President and CEO Regine Biscoe Lee, in a release on Friday, emphasized that “Guam has significant potential to host more educational tours,” further noting that the bureau has seen an “increase” in interest in educational travel this year.
The president made the statement following the Guam Educational Travel Forum hosted by GVB and United Airlines in Tokyo, Japan on August 7. The forum builds on the success of prior year’s forums held in Nagoya and Osaka, which led to a “notable increase in inquiries and bookings.”
“The Guam Educational Travel Forum aims to attract more youth and student travelers from Japan, encompassing study abroad programs, school trips, education and awareness on homestay and cultural exchange programs, as well as training excursions,” GVB said.
The joint efforts of United Airlines and GVB, to promote study abroad and cultural exchange programs, brought together 13 tourism industry member organizations to include the University of Guam.
“Presentations by United Airlines, the University of Guam – led by Carlos Taitano PMBA, UOG Director, Global Learning and Engagement; Tamara Hayashi, Program Assistant; and Kyle Mandapat, UOG Associate Director for Communications & Community Engagement/Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant – and Barefoot Guam Supervisor Maho Quinene, furnished attendees with the latest information on educational travel and results from group travels to Guam,” GVB said.
“The audience further benefited from insightful keynote speeches delivered by Professor Noboru Okubo from Nakamura Gakuen International Travel, Hotel, and Bridal College and Tomomi Oba from Tama University Associate Professor, International Exchange Committee Member/Academic English Program (AEP) Coordinator, representing Japanese tourism colleges and universities that have completed training programs in Guam,” GVB added.
In addition to UOG and United Airlines, participating Guam organizations included: Arluis Wedding, Barefoot Guam, Crowne Plaza Resort Guam, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Fisheye Marine Park, Ken Hotels and Resorts, Leo Palace Resort Guam, Lotte Hotel Guam, Pacific Island Holidays, TP Micronesia, and Watabe Wedding.
The event also featured one-on-one tabletop sessions between Guam organizations and Japanese attendees that focused on Fiscal Year 2026 opportunities.
“Additionally, organizers from the Kashiwa International Relations Association (KIRA) attended and connected with Barefoot Guam to assist in the revival of homestay and cultural exchange programs,” the release said.
GVB reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the collaborative efforts with travel trade partners to host similar events in the future.
AloJapan.com