Industry calls for China, Russia visa waiver in Guam
The tourism industry in Guam wants a visa waiver for Chinese and Russian visitors. Mary Torre, President of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, is leading the call, saying the move would boost Guam’s tourism numbers.
“We have seen some of our key source markets decline over the last year or so, and it’s important that we continue to look at opportunities to continue to diversify our market,” she told the Pacific Daily News. The tourism industry is firmly behind the idea, recognising the need to diversify its source markets. The industry currently receives 80% of visitors form a weakening Japanese market.
The Governor’s Office also sent a report to Federal Officials purporting the waiver, stating that Chinese and Russian tourists could increase government revenues by 22%. By 2020, arrivals from these nations could increase to 421,500 from 7,500 in 2011, contributing US$2 billion in tourism revenues and an additional US$1.6 billion to the wider economy.
Comments are closed.