AGP Executive Report

Visa Waiver Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Guam Del. James Moylan introduced the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to add the Philippines plus India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Mongolia to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program—supporters project about 25,000 more Guam arrivals and roughly $11M in visitor spending, though King-Hinds warns the bill faces a tough road in Congress amid national immigration debate. Tourism Funding: The Guam Visitors Bureau board approved a $28.97M FY2027 operating budget to keep marketing, destination development and international outreach moving, citing $1.6B in economic impact from tourism in 2025. Hiking & Trails: GVB’s Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in the research-and-planning stage, with surveying and site studies underway before any next phase. Island Life & Food: Hu Guaiya Minipancakes opened a brick-and-mortar spot at CHamoru Village, aiming to draw both locals and tourists with its minipancakes and new cream-filled malasadas. Weather Watch: NWS Guam says the current calm may be “before the storm” as Tropical Storm Dujuan pulls away and a separate system could later affect travel plans toward Japan. Sports Spotlight: Guam athletes brought home multiple world titles from the SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Tokyo, boosting the island’s international sports visibility.

Visa & Tourism Access: Guam and CNMI lawmakers unveiled the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program—adding the Philippines plus Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia—aimed at boosting tourism and air service. Airport Funding: The U.S. House Transportation Committee unanimously passed the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act of 2026, raising the federal share for eligible airport projects to 95% for Guam and CNMI, calling airports a “lifeline” for visitors and residents. Hiking & Trails: GVB says the Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in the research and planning stage, with a contractor surveying site conditions, access, safety, environmental and cultural factors before implementation. Local Food & Culture: Hu Guaiya Minipancakes opened a brick-and-mortar spot at CHamoru Village, keeping its pop-up roots while targeting tourist foot traffic. Nature & Wildlife: Joint Region Marianas and the University of Guam launched the “Båsta BTS” campaign to help residents spot and stop the spread of the invasive brown treesnake. Sports Spotlight: Guam athletes brought home multiple world titles from the SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Tokyo, strengthening the island’s international sports visibility. Weather Watch: Tropical Depression 24W formed east of the Marianas and is forecast to curve north toward Tokyo, with travelers urged to monitor updates.

Labor & Mobility: The Philippine government’s new Migrant Workers Office in Guam is expected to start serving CNMI soon, bringing labor document processing closer to Filipino workers across Guam, CNMI, Palau, FSM and RMI. Tourism Policy Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Guam Del. James Moylan advanced the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026, aiming to add the Philippines (plus Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia) to the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program to boost travel and air service. Air Access Funding: A U.S. House Transportation panel unanimously passed the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act of 2026, raising the federal share of eligible airport project costs to 95% for rural, remote and underserved areas including Guam and CNMI—key for tourism connectivity. Hiking Update: Guam Visitors Bureau says the Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in research and planning, with site surveying and safety/cultural/environmental checks underway before implementation. Power Costs Watch: Guam’s PUC will review GPA’s fuel surcharge (LEAC) after a July power-bill hike and reported under-recovery. Sports Spotlight: Guam athletes won multiple world titles at the SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Tokyo, keeping island visibility strong for visitors and events. Weather Note: Tropical Depression 24W formed east of the Marianas and is forecast to curve north toward Tokyo, so travelers should monitor updates.

Guam-CNMI Tourism Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds’ Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would expand the Guam-CNMI visa waiver to add the Philippines plus Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia—aimed at boosting tourism, air service, and family travel. Airport Funding: A U.S. House panel unanimously advanced the Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act, raising the federal share for rural/remote airport projects to 95% for Guam and CNMI—framed as a tourism and lifeline upgrade. Hiking & Trails: Guam Visitor Bureau says the Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in research and planning, with a contractor surveying access, safety, and cultural/environmental factors before implementation. Tourism Industry Incentives: GEDA is rolling out the Enhancing Tourism Aesthetic Program (ETAP) starting in October, offering tax credits and abatements to fund tourism-image improvements on publicly visible commercial properties. Weather Watch: Tropical Depression 24W formed east of the Marianas and is forecast to curve north toward Tokyo, with Guam travelers urged to monitor conditions closely. Community & Culture: Purebred Jiu-Jitsu Guam marked 30 years with a Team Day that brought together athletes and families from Guam and Korea. Power Rates: Guam’s PUC is reviewing whether to adjust the fuel surcharge after GPA reported a $37M fuel under-recovery.

Visa Waiver Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Guam Del. James Moylan introduced the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to add the Philippines—and also expand eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia—into the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, aiming to boost family travel, tourism, and air service. Tourism Development: Guam Visitors Bureau says the Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in its research and planning stage, with a contractor surveying site conditions, access, safety, and cultural/environmental factors before implementation. Tourism Funding: GEDA is rolling out the Enhancing Tourism Aesthetic Program (ETAP), offering tax incentives starting Oct. 1 to support “responsible private sector investment” that improves tourism-visible commercial properties. Hiking & Wellness: Hyatt Regency Guam is promoting daily wellness and culture-friendly activities for guests and the public. Power Costs Watch: Guam’s PUC will review the fuel surcharge (LEAC) after GPA reported being $37M under-recovered on fuel costs. Travel Market Boost: Philippine Airlines adds seasonal direct Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas and New Year peak travel. Aviation/Infrastructure: CNMI Del. King-Hinds’ Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act cleared a House Transportation Committee markup unanimously, raising federal support for eligible rural/territory airport projects. Safety & Community: A multi-agency sting on Guam led to arrests of five men accused of attempting to lure children.

Marianas Visa Push: CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds and Guam Del. James Moylan introduced the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 to expand the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program—adding the Philippines plus India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Mongolia—aiming to boost tourism, air service and regional ties. Trail Upgrade (Hiking): Guam Visitor Bureau says the Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in “research and planning,” with a contractor surveying and studying access, safety, environmental and cultural factors before implementation. Power Costs Watch: Guam’s Public Utilities Commission will review GPA’s fuel surcharge (LEAC) after the utility reported being $37M under-recovered, as global oil prices climb. Tourism Investment: GEDA is rolling out the Enhancing Tourism Aesthetic Program starting October, offering tax credits for visible upgrades to commercial properties to improve Guam’s tourism image. Holiday Flights: Philippine Airlines adds seasonal direct Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas/New Year peak dates, plus extra Cebu–Iloilo capacity via Cebu. Wellness for Visitors: Hyatt Regency Guam highlights free-for-guests wellness activities (yoga, swimming lessons, aqua workouts) open to the public for a nominal fee. Safety & Access: A workshop at Hilton Guam Resort & Spa highlighted how disaster recovery often leaves fishing communities rebuilding too slowly, with Guam fishers’ fuel/ice challenges part of the wider Pacific picture. Dive Tragedy: Palau ended the search for two missing tourist divers at Peleliu Wall after eight days, with questions remaining about their final moments. Local Legal/Business: GVB seeks to disqualify an assistant AG in a civil case, while Guam’s AI workforce tools are being debated with calls for clear outcome tracking. Child Safety Sting: DOJ reports five arrests on Guam after an undercover sting targeting alleged child luring.

GVB Trail Update: The Guam Visitors Bureau says the Sella Bay Overlook trail revitalization is still in its “research and planning stage,” with contractor Guahan Trail Stewards surveying and studying access, safety, environmental and cultural factors before any build work. Tourism Push: GEDA is rolling out the Enhancing Tourism Aesthetic Program (ETAP), offering tax credits and incentives to spur “responsible private sector investment” that improves tourism-visible commercial properties; applications open Oct. 1. Hotel Lifestyle: Hyatt Regency Guam is promoting free-for-guests wellness programming—yoga, pool lessons, aqua aerobics, and more—aimed at keeping visitors active and connected to island culture. Power Costs Watch: Guam’s PUC will review GPA’s fuel surcharge (LEAC) Thursday after GPA reported a $37M fuel under-recovery, as global oil prices climb. Holiday Flights: Philippine Airlines adds seasonal direct Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas peak dates (Dec. 17–Jan. 7), boosting options for travelers heading to the Visayas. Policy/Travel Friction: Del. Moylan is pushing to restore the de minimis exemption and address Guam-bound mail delays after new USPS customs steps and Zonos requirements add cost and hassle for residents. Community & Safety: A multi-agency sting led to the arrest of five men accused of attempting to lure children into illegal sexual activity. Tech for Travelers: Apple lists Guam among iPhone 18 Pro’s eSIM-only markets (no SIM tray), meaning carrier selection still happens at checkout.

Tourism Marketing Push: GVB says arrivals are still soft and it’s leaning harder on overseas promotion, including a Sept. 4 Guam Mega FAM that brought 240+ global travel pros for 700 B2B connections, aiming to lift demand into the last quarter. Hotel/Investment Incentives: GEDA is rolling out the Enhancing Tourism Aesthetic Program (applications Oct. 1) offering tax credits up to $250,000 (25% of verified costs) to boost tourism-facing property upgrades, plus links to its Special Hotel Qualifying Certificate. Air Service for Holidays: Philippine Airlines adds seasonal direct Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas/New Year peak (Dec. 17, 18, 23-25 and Jan. 2-7), giving another route to the Visayas without routing through Manila. Tech for Travelers: Apple confirms iPhone 18 Pro is eSIM-only (no SIM tray) in Guam and 11 other markets—important for visitors planning carrier setup before or after arrival. Community & Culture: Guam athletes shined at the 2026 SJJIF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Tokyo, bringing multiple world titles and raising the island’s profile abroad. Logistics/Defense Footprint: USS San Diego (LPD 22) departed Naval Base Guam after a routine stop, underscoring Guam’s ongoing role as a key Pacific staging hub.

Tourism Incentives: GEDA is rolling out the Enhancing Tourism Aesthetic Program (ETAP) starting Oct. 1, offering tax credits up to $250,000 (or 25% of verified improvement costs) for public-facing upgrades to commercial properties, plus other incentives via its Special Hotel Qualifying Certificate program. GVB Marketing Push: Guam Visitors Bureau says it’s continuing overseas promotion despite weaker arrivals, pointing to the Sept. 4 Guam MegaFAM that brought 240+ trade pros, media and influencers and generated 700+ B2B connections and 642 planned content pieces. New Air Capacity for Holidays: Philippine Airlines adds seasonal direct Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas and New Year peak dates (Dec. 17, 18, 23-25 and Jan. 2-7), adding options beyond the daily Guam–Manila service. Cost Pressures for Visitors & Hotels: DOD raised Guam per diem meals and incidental rates effective Sept. 1, boosting meals to $111 and incidentals to $27 (lodging stays $179), a change Guam’s hotel and restaurant industry says affects government travel demand. Mail Delays & De Minimis Changes: Del. James Moylan met USPS officials over new de minimis-related customs steps and Guam-bound mail delays, warning the added costs and Zonos process are burdensome for island residents. Tech for Travelers (Guam-specific): Apple lists iPhone 18 Pro as eSIM-only (no SIM tray) in Guam, meaning travelers need to plan carrier setup before arrival.

Guam Tourism Push Amid Slower Arrivals: The Guam Visitors Bureau says it’s doubling down on overseas marketing and partnerships as arrivals remain weak, with August 1–18 visitor numbers down 22.9% vs. 2025 and South Korea/Japan still leading the decline; GVB says it’s using its Guam MegaFAM to build demand and visibility. MegaFAM Networking Boost: GVB wrapped its 2026 Guam MegaFamiliarization Tour with 240+ trade pros, media, and influencers and 40+ local businesses generating 700+ B2B connections plus 642 planned content pieces aimed at 15M+ reach. AI Trip Planning Lesson for Local Businesses: A GVB meeting heard that AI-driven travel searches are surging—AI referral traffic for Guam grew 350% in 2025, mostly from ChatGPT—urging hotels and attractions to post clear, specific info so they show up in direct AI answers. Holiday Airlift to Cebu: Philippine Airlines adds seasonal direct Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas peak (Dec. 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and Jan. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7), giving travelers another route to the Visayas. Cost Pressure for Visitors: Guam’s fuel prices jumped again (regular over $6; diesel over $7), and DOD per diem for meals/incidental expenses on Guam rose effective Sept. 1, which can affect government travel spending. De minimis Mail Update: Del. James Moylan is pushing USPS and federal trade officials to ease new de minimis-related customs steps and Guam-bound mail delays that add cost and friction for residents and businesses.

New Flights for Holiday Demand: Philippine Airlines will add seasonal direct Cebu–Guam–Cebu flights for Christmas and New Year peak dates (Dec. 17, 18, 24, 25, 2026 and Jan. 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 2027), giving travelers another route to the Visayas without routing through Manila. Tourism Marketing Push: Guam Visitors Bureau wrapped up its 2026 Guam MegaFAM Tour (Sept. 4–7), bringing 240+ trade pros, media, and influencers and generating 700+ B2B connections and 642 planned content pieces aimed at boosting arrivals. Arrivals Still Soft: GVB says overseas promotion continues as August arrivals fell 22.9% vs. 2025, with South Korea and Japan still making up nearly 80% of the market mix. Travel Costs for Government Visitors: DOD raised Guam per diem meals/incidental rates effective Sept. 1 (meals to $111, incidentals to $27; lodging stays $179), which can affect hotel and restaurant demand from official travelers. Local Legal/Policy Watch: GVB asked the court to disqualify Assistant AG David Austin in a civil case, alleging professional-conduct violations.

GVB Legal Fight: Guam Visitors Bureau asks the court to disqualify Assistant AG David Austin from its civil case, alleging OAG attorneys advanced the government’s interests over GVB’s and filed an unauthorized response. Tourism Push: GVB says it’s continuing overseas marketing despite weaker arrivals, pointing to the Sept. 4 Guam Mega Familiarization Tour that brought 240+ travel pros, media, and influencers and generated 700+ B2B connections. Arrivals Watch: GVB data for Aug. 1–18 shows visitor numbers down 22.9% vs. 2025, with South Korea and Japan still driving most of the market mix and both down year over year. Travel Costs: DOD per diem for Guam meals and incidentals rises effective Sept. 1, lifting meals to $111 and incidentals to $27 (lodging stays $179), a change Guam’s hotel and restaurant industry says matters for government travel. Mail & De minimis: Rep. James Moylan says new de minimis rules are adding steps and costs for Guam-bound mail, requiring customs processing via Zonos for affected packages. Fuel Prices: Gas on Guam jumped again, with regular now over $6 and diesel over $7 after a midweek increase. Tech for Travelers: Apple says iPhone 18 Pro is eSIM-only (no SIM tray) in Guam and 11 other markets, which could affect travelers buying phones abroad. AI Trip Planning: A GVB talk highlights a surge in AI-driven travel searches, urging Guam businesses to post clear, specific info so they show up in AI answers.

GVB MegaFAM Boost: Guam Visitors Bureau wrapped up its 2026 Guam Mega Familiarization Tour (Sept. 4–7), bringing 240+ travel pros, media, and influencers from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines; 40+ Guam businesses connected for 700+ B2B links and 642 planned content pieces targeting 15M+ reach. Tourism Marketing Push: GVB said overseas promotion continues despite weaker arrivals, citing Aug. 1–18 visitor numbers down 22.9% vs. 2025, with South Korea and Japan still driving nearly 80% of the mix. Shopping Tie-In for Guam Travelers: Lotte Duty Free launched its Chuseok/Autumn “One Pass” promotion, letting shoppers in Korea unlock discounts and services at Lotte Duty Free locations including Guam, plus a “Fall in Sale” online event through Oct. 11. Government Travel Dollars: DOD raised Guam per diem for meals and incidentals effective Sept. 1 (meals to $111, incidentals to $27; lodging stays $179), a move GHRA says matters for hotels and restaurants serving official travelers. Local Business Tip for Visitors: A GVB meeting heard that AI is increasingly shaping trip planning—businesses are urged to post clear, specific info online so they show up in AI answers.

Tourism Push: GVB wrapped up its 2026 Guam MegaFamiliarization Tour, bringing 240 travel trade pros, media, and influencers to Guam and generating 700+ B2B connections plus 642 planned content pieces aimed at boosting arrivals and spending. Arrivals Watch: GVB says overseas promotion continues despite August 1–18 arrivals down 22.9% vs. 2025, with South Korea and Japan still driving nearly 80% of the market mix. Digital Marketing Shift: A GVB talk highlighted how travelers increasingly use AI to plan trips, urging Guam businesses to post clear, specific info online so they show up in AI answers. Visitor Costs & Travel Demand: DOD per diem rates for Guam meals/incidental expenses rose effective Sept. 1, a change GHRA says matters for hotel and restaurant demand from government travelers. Local Travel Context: Gas prices on Guam jumped again, with regular now over $6 and diesel over $7, adding pressure to travel budgets. Policy/Logistics: Rep. James Moylan says de minimis changes are adding steps and costs for Guam-bound mail and packages, raising concerns for island residents and businesses. Gov Update: Gov. David Apatang clarified his Sept. 10 trip outside the Marianas and addressed questions about acting governorship while he was away.

Tourism Marketing Push: Guam Visitors Bureau says it’s continuing overseas promotion despite low arrivals, pointing to the Sept. 4 Guam Mega Familiarization Tour that brought 240+ travel pros, media and influencers and generated 700+ B2B connections and 642 planned content pieces. Arrival Pressure: GVB data for Aug. 1–18 shows visitor numbers down 22.9% vs. 2025, with South Korea and Japan still driving most of the market and both down year over year. Digital Strategy for Bookings: A GVB meeting heard that AI is increasingly shaping trip planning—AI referral traffic for Guam rose 350% in 2025—so local businesses are urged to post clear, specific info online for AI answers. Travel Costs Update: DOD per diem for Guam official travel rose Sept. 1, lifting meals to $111 and incidentals to $27 (lodging stays $179), a change GHRA says matters for hotels and restaurants serving government travelers. Market Context: Lotte Duty Free launched a Chuseok autumn shopping blitz in South Korea, signaling continued retail demand around peak travel dates. Infrastructure/Operations Note: A new DOD/US Air Force focus on Pacific airfield upgrades includes Guam’s Northwest Field as a tactical overflow site.

DoD Travel Costs: The Department of Defense boosted Guam per diem for meals and incidental expenses effective Sept. 1, raising M&IE by $14 (meals $99→$111; incidentals $25→$27) while lodging stays at $179—GHRA says the update matters for hotels and restaurants serving government travelers. Fuel Prices: Gas jumped 30 cents to $6.229 and diesel rose 20 cents to $7.199 after a Wednesday night increase, pushing Guam motorists back above $6 for regular for the first time since May amid global oil pressure tied to the Iran-U.S. conflict. Korean Tourism Retail Push: Lotte Duty Free launched its “FALL IN SALE” Chuseok promotion (Sept. 24–26) running to Oct. 11 with discounts up to 70%, airline-linked coupons, and a daily “Lucky Quiz” for shoppers. AI Trip Planning: A Guam Visitors Bureau update says AI-driven referrals to Guam rose 350% in 2025 (mostly from ChatGPT), urging local businesses to post clear, specific info so AI can recommend them. MegaFam Momentum: Guam’s MegaFamiliarization Tour drew 200+ travel partners, media, and influencers, including local makers like the Barcinas Sisters showcasing traditional weaving in high-traffic resort space. Tourism Demand Watch: GVB flagged South Korea as a “key area of concern” as arrivals for Aug. 1–12 fell 37.3% year over year, with overall August arrivals down 21.7% (data still incomplete).