More than fifty travel agents from Japan are on Guam for the first "familiarization tour" since the COVID-19 pandemic began. They're being hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau, who also sponsored a Travel and Trade Fair at the Hyatt Regency.

More than two dozen local companies were on hand to showcase their product offerings. KUAM News spoke with Ito Sabumi, manager of overseas product planning for JTB, Japan's largest tour company. Speaking through interpreter Tai-Ichi Higuchi of GVB's Japan Office, Ms. Ito explained what the typical Japanese tourist is interested in.

"So, they're looking for the ancient nature of Guam, which is handed around the ancient era," Sabumi said, also indicating that such travelers are in the market for "culture background also, not just nature."

When asked how soon the Japanese will start traveling in large amounts again, Sabumi said, "So they hope by the end of this year the traveler from Japan is going to come back at the level prior to COVID era."

The fam tour is also sponsored by United Airlines and the Japan Guam Travel Association as part of the 55th anniversary of the first direct flight from Japan to Guam on May 1, 1967.