There's been a sharp warning issued from the legislative oversight chair for tourism, as Senator Jesse Lujan tells Guam Visitors Bureau leaders the Guam Legislature will not support more tourism funding without major changes.  But GVB’s president and CEO defends the agency's direction, saying GVB is making measurable progress.

Senator Lujan delivered blunt remarks at the Guam Visitors Bureau board meeting on Thursday, making it clear that there will be no more tourism funding without major changes to GVB’s board or management. "Until there are drastic changes in how this organization is led and run, and until we see real results, don’t come asking for money," he said.

Lujan, legislative oversight chair of tourism, said senators previously took a calculated risk by supporting a $10 million investment aimed at restoring visitor arrivals and stabilizing Tumon. Though GVB said they only received $3 million so far, he said the results have fallen short of what was promised.

"Right now to the public, it looks like GVB is not performing," said Lujan. "I get this everyday. I mean, if you don’t believe me, get on Facebook and read the comments."

Lujan said businesses continue to close despite that investment.  He warned of the planned departure of Lotte Duty Free at the airport in a few months. This comes as luxury retailer DFS is also preparing to close up shop by March.  "That place is going to be empty. What image will that provide for Guam? Everyday, one of the small businesses is closing down" he said.

He warned senators have “no appetite” to approve another Hotel Occupancy Tax bond, or GVB’s ask for $70 million, without “drastic changes.”

He said, "We’re not here to reward failure with a bigger check. We’re not here to sell another gamble to the public when the first one did not pay off."

He suggested that change could look like new management, a governing board structure, or both. In response to Lujan’s remarks, GVB president and CEO Regine Biscoe Lee defended the agency’s direction, saying her agency is making measurable progress, stating, "GVB is focused on driving arrivals, and we are guided by hard data and facts that show clear and sustained growth. We’ve been seeing increasing visitor arrivals and double digit growth since July 2025, and we closed out the year ahead in 2024."

"Tourism remains a primary source of revenue, directly supporting jobs and businesses across the island. We continue to deliver results despite global challenges and we do it for the 14,400 people that are working in this industry and our entire community."