Guam's tourism hub was brought to life Sunday night, with more than 3,000 people attending to enjoy live music, local food, cultural performances and much more at ‘Pleasure Island.’

The Guam's Visitors Bureau first Tumon Night Market kicked off to a high note with local flavor and warm island hospitality. 

“We had a very surprising turnout of residents, visitors and military alike. There were well over 3000 attendees throughout the duration of the event,” said GVB Public Information Officer Lisa Bordallo. “The goal of this was to create a family friendly event, right in the heart of the tourism district where we could have our local residents and visitors come together to see how vibrant our culture is.”

Bordallo says the other purpose of the night market was to bring foot traffic into Tumon to help the other local businesses that are already there while uplifting new vendors selling ‘Made in Guam’ wares. 

“We’re adding a Guam experience. We want to add a true Guam experience and something cultural down here in Tumon, to enhance our visitor experience as they come and add one more activity where they can do that,” said Bordallo. 

It’s part of their two year tourism recovery plan as they take into account feedback from visitors who want to see more of Guam's unique culture. 

“There’s nothing better than a street festival that gives us that identity and that opportunity for our visitors to meet with our local people and see our local products,” said Kraig Camacho, GVB Senior Destination Specialist. 

Camacho shared his favorite moment of the night. 

“I felt the heart of the people wanting to see this event and needing this event. I say that with so much emotion right now because I felt that from the people. Valerie and I, we walked through a lot of the businesses and they were so very thankful for the influx of people coming to the event,” said Camacho. 

Though not everything was smooth sailing as the major turnout meant traffic and parking ‘chokepoints’, they’re already looking for ways to pivot and improve future events. 

“We’ve already begun to adjust the logistics of that so there’s an easier flow. And if possible, maybe an addition of adding a shuttle for future events, just to help the community get to the event,” added Bordallo. 

As for why Sunday nights? 

They say Sunday is the best time to close the roads and it gives visitors who can’t attend the Wednesday night market at CHamoru Village an opportunity to experience Guam's vibrant culture, face to face with locals. 

“Travelers stay in Guam an average of three days. So the ones that come on the weekends are not able to make the Wednesday night market. So this is one more activity they can do,” said Bordallo. 

The Tumon Night market will take place every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for eight more weeks, until Sept. 28. 

And if the event’s success continues, turning it into a permanent attraction isn’t out the window. 

“This could be our GVB signature series. It remains to be seen how it goes from there in the next few weeks,” she said.