by Krystal Paco

Guam - Visitor arrivals are up, and not just because of the Russia visa waiver. The island is not just a sun, surf, and sand destination, but a convention destination.

125 Asia Pacific Hyundai Motor Company dealers suited up for day one of the 2012 Hyundai Asia Pacific Conference at Hyatt Regency Guam Tuesday morning. According to Guam Visitors Bureau deputy director Nate Denight, this three-day conference is a perfect example of GVB's plan to diversify our market, saying, "We've always been strong with leisure travelers and vacationers but a growing market for us is business travelers, otherwise known as the MICE market - meetings, incentives, conventions, and expos."

Cars Plus president Joey Crisostomo was more than happy to play host to fellow car dealers from all over the region, including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Singapore. Crisostomo says this is great news for his business, as the brand ranks top three locally and top five globally, but for the island's economy as well. "It says a lot when they chose Guam," he explained. "Hyundai has grown rapidly here, we have our market shares increasing our numbers are increasing and they felt very confident in choosing Guam and Cars Plus to host this conference."

Crisostomo says Guam is in dire need of larger venues to host similar events. As a result of the conference, the Hyatt was overbooked and the ballroom full to max capacity. "Guam's going to need to come up with a much larger venue," he added. "When you're looking at a convention that's going to have 500 people, it's going to be difficult so they are going to need a bigger convention center a bigger convention room and more hotel rooms, too."

Earlier this year, Herbalife, a global nutrition and weight management company, more famously affiliated with the L.A. Galaxy and soccer player David Beckham, brought in over 2,000 visitors. Denight says business travelers are an ideal market. After all, they fill the hotel rooms during non-peak seasons.

He adds that things are looking up for the island as more properties are coming online with bigger, ballrooms.