Reimagining Guam tourism

Yes & Know By Aline Yamashita

Decades ago, there were concerns about the growing number of tourists coming to Guam. Some in positions of leadership wanted to limit the number of visitors. The protection of our resources was a concern.

Today, there is a flurry of planning to regain the pre-pandemic number—between 1.3 million and 1.6 million. A variety of groups are planning and cross-referencing their ideas. This is a good thing. To me, it is good because it can provide job opportunities for our community.

Unfortunately, we have 55,000 people who do not want to work. Frankly, I don’t see employment as an option. Perhaps with all the government support provided, we made it an option.

I continually raise early childhood education as a need on our island. Starting at the very beginning, families need training and support to nurture confidence and self-esteem, which will pave the way for good decision-making. Teaching youngsters how to cope, think, create and get along sets the way for education, workforce development, less crime and less unemployment. For every dollar invested, we reap $10 to $15 in return.

Today, Guam is paying later – crowded prisons, a high crime rate, high drug usage, high suicide rate, and increased abuse of youngsters and seniors. We need to reverse this by investing early on.

Guam salvaged the Guam Department of Education system by forming the School Opening Resource Team or SORT. All agencies and partners focused on ensuring our schools were capable of passing health inspections. The all-hands-on-deck approach made a difference. 

This success makes the case for returning our public school system to the executive branch.

We need a TORT – Tourism Opening Resource Team. All hands on deck, with all agencies and partners helping to clean, paint and energize our island for our residents and visitors.

During the 2016 Festival of Pacific Arts, 40 open-air concrete huts were erected in Hagatna. While there may be plans for these structures, they have not been widely shared. Every time I pass the Paseo Loop, I imagine what can happen there.

Government agencies and business groups, such as the Guam Economic Development Authority, Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, the University of Guam, Guam Chamber of Commerce, Guam Community College and Guam Department of Education, can create a Todu Guahan (All Guam) project. 

This could be converted into a tourist attraction, with each hut showcasing something about Guam. One hut could sell everything plumeria; another, everything hibiscus; another could feature reusable Guam bags; and yet another could offer Guam caps and T-shirts.

One could feature Guam children’s books, and another, could offer books about Guam history and literature. Fabric and towels could be featured in another hut. One could focus on items for fur babies, such as tags or pillows., while another could offer Guam DVDs and song recordings.

Todu Guahan could also feature edibles, such as Guam sweets including cookies, candies, and candied papaya. Another hut could offer pickled Guam items, such as pickled papaya, pickled mango, cucumber salad, pickled star apple. 

Entrepreneurs could work with GDOE to have students work at the huts and earn credits while doing so. Perhaps, social workers could identify homeless individuals who want to work. Rather than panhandling, they could earn money and heighten their self-esteem.

Seniors could also be invited to help. There could be a hut featuring storytelling or ukele playing by a manamko. 

The Todu Guahan site could be part of a tour sequence leading up to the Chamorro Village, the Guam Museum, Skinner’s Plaza and one of the many restaurants found in our capital. On some days, a variety of food trucks offer a variety of foods. Tourists could walk up to Fort Apugun, where photographers would stand at certain locations to take and sell photos.

There is a great opportunity to be creative. Imagine what could be done in the Agana waters: boat rides, paddling, surfing lessons, kiteboarding., picnics while watching the activities and sprinklers for kids to run through. 

We all agree that, first, we need to clean up our land that is filled with trash and broken vehicles. Buildings need to be cleaned and regularly maintained., and paint jobs are always refreshing. 

Sometimes, I want to cover buildings with blankets to hide the blemishes that greet us.  The huge, moldy structures towering into the blue sky are eyesores.

Our island is ours to care for, both physically and socially. Together, we can do this.

Aline Yamashita is a mom, a teacher and former senator. She served in the 31st and 32nd

Guam Legislatures. Send feedback to aline4families@gmail.com.

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