The improved meetings capabilities of Guam have not gone unnoticed, with the US island territory drawing more international conferences and Asian interest over the past year.
Among those hosted were the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) 2016 Annual Summit earlier this year, and the World Health Organisation Conference last year.
Meeting professionals believe improved MICE infrastructure, especially the official opening of the convention centre at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort last November, has contributed to a “notable rise in enquiries and bookings from the meetings and incentive travel sector”.
Pilar Laguana, director of global marketing, Guam Visitors Bureau says: “The convention centre and our investment in dedicated MICE sector marketing, such as exhibiting at IMEX America for the first time in 2015, have significantly boosted awareness and interest.
“We have especially had more incoming contacts from China, Korea, and North America and expect this growth to continue following IMEX America 2016.”
To further improve meetings capabilities, the bureau is creating a Guam meetings planner portal and developing a Smart Guam strategy to help delegates leverage mobile devices and the Internet of Things.
Looking ahead, Laguana says: “The growth in the MICE sector follows a significant increase in overall visitor numbers to the island, which have doubled in recent years, and we expect MICE industry business also to grow substantially in the next few years.”
The 419-room Dusit Thani Guam Resort offers nine venues, including a grand ballroom accommodating 2,000 for receptions (main picture).
