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Guam celebrates 40 years of
tourism
10 May, 2007
As the scenic Guam celebrates the 40th
year of the arrival of the first group
of 109 tourists in a Pan Am flight
from Japan on May 1, 1967, tourism has
become the single largest industry on
the island and the second largest
employer.
At present, tourist arrivals in Guam,
an unincorporated territory of the
United States, stand at over one
million annually.
Guam’s capital is Hagatna, and the
official languages are English and
Chamorro. The island has a land area
of 212 square miles (549 square
kilometres).
Most experts in diving agree that Guam
is among the best diving destinations
in the world. Guam provides dives for
all skill levels and to suit all
interests. And, Guam boasts of being
the only place on earth with
shipwrecks from World War I and World
War II.
Guam is serviced by a number of
international and commuter airlines.
Regular flights connect Guam with
various points throughout Japan, Hong
Kong, the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan,
Australia, Indonesia, Hawaii, the
other islands of Micronesia and the
Continental United States.
To commemorate the historic flight and
launching of Guam’s premier industry –
that is, tourism – the island is
celebrating 40 years of tourism with a
series of special events, festivals,
contests, memorial tree-planting and
such other activities throughout 2007.
The celebrations began in January 2007
with a press conference held in Tokyo,
where it was also announced that Guam
Visitors Bureau (GVB) is searching for
the 109 passengers on the Pan Am
flight from Japan on May 1, 1967.
May 1, the anniversary date of tourism
and coincidentally, the first day of
Tourism Month on Guam, started with a
special airport greeting service Guam
International Airport.
The first Annual Mango Festival,
sponsored partly by the Guam Visitors
Bureau, will be held from May 25-27 in
the southern village of Agat, a scenic
village, the coast of which is dotted
with smaller islands and beautiful
beaches.
Other activities have also been
planned for May 2007, including
sending invitations to the original
visitors and honeymooners to come back
to the island.
The Guam Visitors Bureau will also
present on television memorable events
from Guam’s history of tourism.
Cultural events will include dance
from Guam’s past as well as
traditional pre-Spanish contact dances
and post-contact Spanish, featuring
movements from both Guam’s Chamorro
and Spanish history.
More information about Guam’s
celebration of 40 years of tourism can
be had from the website
www.visitguam.org
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