Guam Courts American Expats in Asia with Vaccine Tourism Initiative

Guam is strategically positioning itself as a "vaccine vacation" destination, specifically targeting American expatriates residing in Asia who face limited access to COVID-19 vaccinations. The "Air V&V" program aims to boost tourism by offering U.S. citizens in countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines a chance to receive FDA-approved vaccines while enjoying a getaway on the Pacific island. This initiative seeks to revitalize Guam's struggling tourism sector, which has been heavily impacted by the pandemic and low vaccination rates in its traditional source markets.

Key Takeaways

• Guam is launching a "vaccine tourism" program targeting American expats in Asia.
• The initiative aims to boost the island's tourism economy.
• Expats can receive U.S.-approved COVID-19 vaccines on Guam.
• The program faces challenges, including Guam's own rising COVID-19 cases and quarantine protocols.

A Unique Opportunity for Expats and Guam

American expats living in Asia, where vaccine rollouts have been slower compared to the U.S., are being presented with an opportunity to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Guam. This initiative, dubbed "Air V&V" (Vaccination and Vacation), is seen as a win-win situation by tourism officials. It provides a much-needed avenue for these expatriates to access vaccines while simultaneously offering a potential lifeline to Guam's tourism industry, which has been severely affected by the global health crisis.

Revitalizing Tourism Amidst Challenges

The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) is exploring this vaccine tourism strategy as a way to attract visitors, particularly from its main markets like Japan and South Korea, which are still grappling with low vaccination rates. The idea is that American citizens in the Asia-Pacific region, who may not have easy access to vaccines, can travel to Guam, get vaccinated, and spend time vacationing. This could involve staying in hotels and potentially working remotely during the vaccination and recovery period, especially for two-dose vaccines like Moderna or Pfizer.

Addressing Concerns and Future Prospects

While the prospect of "vaccine tourism" is promising, it's not without its hurdles. Guam itself is experiencing a rise in coronavirus cases, and travelers may face quarantine protocols upon arrival. Furthermore, the GVB has indicated that such a program might be more aggressively pursued once at least 80% to 90% of Guam's adult population is fully vaccinated. The island is working towards herd immunity, with a goal of fully vaccinating 100,000 residents by July 21. The success of this initiative may also depend on federal support for additional vaccine supplies to accommodate potential influxes of visitors.

A Diversified Tourism Market

This strategy also aims to diversify Guam's tourism base. With significant numbers of Americans residing in countries like the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea, tapping into this demographic could provide a substantial boost. The initiative is seen as a way to encourage these expats to consider Guam as a viable and attractive destination, especially as traditional tourism markets may take longer to recover. The hope is that by promoting Guam as a safe and accessible vaccination and vacation spot, the island can attract these potential visitors before they opt for other destinations like Hawaii.

Sources

• Guam offers vaccine vacations for U.S. expats in Asia, but not a relaxing break, The Japan Times.
• GVB weighs COVID-19 vaccine tourism for American expats in Asia | Local News, The Guam Daily Post.
• American expats living in Asia worth pursuing for Guam tourism | Editorials, The Guam Daily Post.