GVB: "we welcome accountability"

As lawmakers spent the afternoon questioning tourism leaders, the Guam Visitors Bureau made its case earlier today for how it’s spending tourism dollars and why it may need more funding in the future. In it's second monthly 'Tourism Talks' briefing with local media focused on transparency, GVB leadership says "We welcome accountability."

Ahead of a legislative oversight hearing, the agency defended its tourism strategy and spending at a press briefing Tuesday morning. GVB president and CEO Regine Biscoe Lee said, "We’re more motivated now than ever. We have a lot of momentum with a lot of the tourism arrival numbers that we’re seeing."

She touted ongoing efforts to restore flights, strengthen key visitor markets, and support industry jobs. One yielding return just last week when Guam welcomed some 850 visitors from Taiwan in the first of multiple full-capacity flights.

"I always like to say the day that you plant the seed isn’t the day you harvest the fruit. We planted the seed in November and we’re seeing the benefits of that work now in Chinese New Year and these folks from Taiwan coming, and all of our charters fully booked," said Lee.

She also pointed to marketing campaigns overseas and partnerships with travel industry leaders as signs of momentum. The president said investments like IMEX America, which was called into question by lawmakers last week, are necessary to keep Guam competitive.

"Again, if Guam is not in the room, then we don’t make it on these itineraries," said Lee. "And because we participated in IMEX America the last five or six years, Guam has been included in these ultra luxury destination tours." 

But Tuesday afternoon, senators examined whether tourism spending is producing clear returns, and whether future funding requests, including a possible hotel occupancy tax bond, should move forward. "There are a number of things we need to take care of from our destination side. As you know, maintenance is always a challenge here on Guam and it costs money to be able to provide a destination that is clean and attractive, not just for visitors but for our residents," she said.

Lawmakers have signaled they want stronger performance metrics and more transparency before backing any new financing. GVB's message to senators was, as Lee stated, "We’ve never had any issues with being accountable and providing all the information that auditors are requiring. We welcome accountability."

That decision could affect how millions in tourism dollars are spent, and how quickly the industry recovers.