GVB chartering flights to Rota for FAM tour

The Guam Visitors Bureau is chartering four flights to Rota for a familiarization tour designed to introduce and welcome officials from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation activity to the beauty and uniqueness of the island.

This targeted approach aims to showcase Rota’s potential as a premier destination for military personnel and their families, said Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan) during a press conference Tuesday in her office.

“This is a familiarization tour of what beautiful Rota has to offer to military families,” she said.

Babauta said she is excited for Rota as they have a packed schedule from May 15 to 17, 2024.

He said a delegation including GVB, herself, Sen. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota), Reps. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan) and John Paul Palacios Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, and members of the Guam Legislature collaborated on strategic initiatives to promote the future of tourism in the region, particularly Rota.

Babauta said they were part of a first group of legislators who visited Guam last March and they engaged with the Guam Governor’s Office, their legislature, and GVB, on how they can assist each other because CNMI and Guam face the same regional issues and it only makes sense to have a united voice on these issues.

She said it’s the reason why GVB president and chief executive officer Carl T.C. Gutierrez extended an invitation to her, Sen. Manglona, Rep. Propst, Rep. Sablan, Rota Mayor Hocog, and Tinian Mayor Aldan to join the Japan trip from May 8 to 12, 2024.

“It was a busy trip. We were fully exhausted by the time we came back,” Babauta said.

She said during the trip, which was funded by the GVB, they were able to meet with the CEOs of travel agencies.

“It’s amazing how organized GVB is and I want to say kudos to their marketing division headed by Miss Nadine Leon Guerrero. She’s been with GVB for over 30 years and she knows her material,” Babauta said.

She said the GVB Japan staff are also amazing as the whole trip was well organized.

Babauta said big travel agencies from Japan held a seminar, basically informing them that there’s this new direct flight from Haneda to Guam.

She said there are opportunities for these Japanese visitors to come to the CNMI as well.

Babauta said their group, representing the entire Marianas, met with key Japanese dignitaries and industry stakeholders to jointly advocate for increased tourist arrivals to both Guam and the CNMI, particularly Rota.

She said this collaborative effort signifies a strong commitment to boosting tourism in the region.

Babauta said as a direct of these productive meetings, GVB with its CNMI partners are pleased to announce the chartering of four fights to Rota.

She said these efforts will pave the way for increased arrivals to both Guam and the CNMI.

Babauta said with continued collaboration and strategic initiatives, “the future of tourism in the region shines bright.”

“I acknowledge and express my deepest gratitude for the invaluable assistance and visionary leadership of former [Guam] Gov. Carl T. C. Gutierrez and his dedicated team at GVB in both Guam and Japan,” the senator said.

Sen. = Manglona gave a special recognition to GVB Global Marketing director Leon Guerrero and her marketing team, for their instrumental role in taking “this significant first step to support tourism development on Rota.”