GVB announces RFI to determine public interest in cruise ship industry

(Tumon, Guam) The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), a non-stock, non-profit membership corporation, has announced it has released a Request for Information (RIF) to determine public interest and the desired direction that public policymakers may take relative to the development, management, and operation of a cruise ship industry on Guam.

GVB plans to gather data and facts in anticipation of designing specifications relative to developing a cruise ship industry on Guam.

Background

GVB, in partnership with the Micronesia Cruise Association (MCA), engaged the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to form a task force to investigate the potential of a home-ported cruise line and developing and launching a viable cruise tourism industry.

For almost a decade, GVB and the MCA have conducted detailed research and analysis to understand the potential for cruise tourism within Micronesia. In most cases, the research focused on large and mega-ship cruise lines visiting Guam and/or other islands in Micronesia as part of existing itineraries. Recently, however, the discussion has focused on the home-porting concept.

As the fastest growing component of the global travel industry, Guam acknowledges that this niche tourism market can provide additional economic opportunities for Guam and the Micronesian region.

Where to go

GVB’s expectation is this RFI will open a dialogue with relevant stakeholders to realize the extent of solutions currently available and determine if a cruise ship industry could be developed on Guam.

Interested entities can go to GVB’s corporate website, www.guamvisitorsbureau.com, to download the RFI under the “News” subsection.

Media Contact: JOSH TYQUIENGCO - Public Information Officer