Friday, 11 August 2017

Guam capitalises on new-found fame

People continue to arrive on the island to despite North Korea's threats to surround Guam with 'enveloping fire'

People continue to arrive on the island despite North Korea's 

threats to surround Guam with 'enveloping fire'

Sees itself not just as North Korean missile

target. Island is now being promoted 

as an exciting holiday destination

  • Guam is looking to cash in on new-found fame as a North 
  • Korean missile target 
  • All eyes are on the remote Pacific island after Kim Jong-un's
  • threats against it 
  • The US territory is host to two US military installations and
  • 6,000 US soldiers
  • The island, home to 162,000 people, draws more than 
  • 1.5million tourists a year 
Tourism-dependent Guam is looking to cash in on its new-found
 fame as a North Korean missile target, tapping an unlikely promotional
 opportunity to attract visitors to the idyllic island and prove that all
publicity is good publicity.
Pyongyang's threats to launch four missile strikes near the US
 territory has stirred global curiosity in the remote Pacific destination,
with it trending heavily on search engines as social media users
wondered,
'what is Guam?'
Although Guam hosts two US military installations and 6,000 US
soldiers, making it the target of North Korea's wrath, tourism
 authorities are keen to dispel any impression of danger to the
 tranquil island and its secluded 
Tourism-dependent Guam is looking to cash in on its new-found
fame as a North Korean missile 
'The circumstance are unfortunate but this is a good opportunity
 for us to educate the world about Guam,' said Josh Tyquiengco,
marketing director at Guam 
The tiny US territory is grabbing an unlikely promotional
opportunity to attract visitors to the idyllic island and prove
that all publicity is good publicity
Pyongyang's threats to launch four missile strikes near the US territory has stirred global curiosity in the remote Pacific destination
Pyongyang's threats to launch four missile strikes near
the US territory has stirred global curiosity in the
remote Pacific destination
















The circumstances are unfortunate but this is a good opportunity 
for us to educate the world about Guam and our culture, about
 where we are, and who we are,' said Josh Tyquiengco, marketing
 director at Guam Visitors Bureau, the official agency for the island.
'Guam is more than a military base. We are a safe family destination.
We reassure potential visitors that we continue to be a safe...
 place to visit,' Tyquiengco told AFP Friday.
Despite North Korea's threats to prepare plans within days that
would surround Guam with 'enveloping fire', fears of a potential
 attack have not deterred tourists from visiting Guam, he said.
'We heard about a few booking cancellations from South Korea,
 but it's too minimal to affect the industry,' he said.
As aircraft after aircraft - packed with tourists - landed Friday
 at Guam's international airport, the latest visitors to the island
appeared untroubled by the prospect of missile strikes.
Kim Jong-un recently announced his country is looking into launching a missile which would land just off the coast of the US territory of Guam
Kim Jong-un recently announced his country is looking into launching a missile which would land just off the coast of the US territory of Guam
Guam hosts two US military installations and 6,000 US soldiers, making it the target of North Korea's wrath

Guam hosts two US military installations and 6,000 US soldiers, making it the target of North Korea's wrath
Josh Tyquiengco of the Guam Visitors Bureau says tourists appear to be undeterred by Kim Jong-un's threats
Josh Tyquiengco of the Guam Visitors Bureau says tourists appear to be undeterred by Kim Jong-un's threats
 Guam's history of earthquakes and typhoons mean its infrastructure is built to robust standard
 Guam's history of earthquakes and typhoons mean its infrastructure is built to robust standard
People continue to arrive on the island to despite North Korea's threats to surround Guam with 'enveloping fire'
People continue to arrive on the island to despite North Korea's threats to surround Guam with 'enveloping fire'
Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre (2,100 miles) distance to the US territory
Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre (2,100 miles) distance to the US territory
Sun Doojin, who arrived with her husband and two-year-old daughter on a flight from Seoul, responded with an emphatic 'no' when asked if she was concerned about an attack during her visit.
The Guam Daily Post, in an editorial, said the spotlight on the territory offered an opportunity to show the world why an island of 162,000 people draws more than 1.5 million tourists a year.
'The beach waters are crystal clear, beaches aren't overrun, and nature hiking trails are very accessible.
'The different cultures that are showcased on the island through food, make Guam a hidden gem, a tropical vacation getaway but with the amenities and comforts of some of the small cities stateside.'
Guam's history of earthquakes and typhoons mean its infrastructure is built to robust standards and authorities insist that the island is prepared for any emergency, including a North Korean strike.
The latest visitors to the island appeared untroubled by the prospect of missile strikes
The latest visitors to the island appeared untroubled by the prospect of missile strikes
Local media says the spotlight on the territory offered an opportunity to show the world why an island of 162,000 people draws more than 1.5 million tourists a year
Local media says the spotlight on the territory offered an opportunity to show the world why an island of 162,000 people draws more than 1.5 million tourists a year
One tourist who came with her two-year-old daughter from Seoul responded with an emphatic 'no' when asked if she was concerned about an attack during her visit
One tourist who came with her two-year-old daughter from Seoul responded with an emphatic 'no' when asked if she was concerned about an attack during her visit
Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre (2,100 miles) distance to the US territory
Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre (2,100 miles) distance to the US territory
Homeland Security spokeswoman Jenna Gaminde told the Guam Daily News that in the event of an attack, residents would be immediately notified by sirens
Homeland Security spokeswoman Jenna Gaminde told the Guam Daily News that in the event of an attack, residents would be immediately notified by sirens

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Homeland Security spokeswoman Jenna Gaminde told the Guam Daily News that in the event of an attack, residents would be immediately notified by sirens from the All-Hazards Alert Warning System located throughout the island.
'If you hear the sirens, tune into local media - radio, print, television - for further instructions,' she said.
Pyongyang has said it would take less than 18 minutes for a missile to cross the 3,400-kilometre (2,100 miles) distance to the US territory.
In addition to the US military bases, Guam is also equipped with the sophisticated THAAD weapons system which is capable of destroying intermediate-range missiles in the final phase of flight.
Officials, however, have sought to brush off fears and say there has been no change in the threat level for now.
'I don't think there's anything to worry about. No missile is going to land on Guam,' said Carl Peterson, who serves on the Guam Chamber of Commerce's armed forces committee.
'We've got defense mechanisms in place... they have the ability to seek out the missiles with kinetic energy and destroy it.'
'We've got defense mechanisms in place,' said Carl Peterson, who serves on the Guam Chamber of Commerce's armed forces committee
'We've got defense mechanisms in place,' said Carl Peterson, who serves on the Guam Chamber of Commerce's armed forces committee
In addition to the US military bases, Guam is also equipped with the sophisticated THAAD weapons system which is capable of destroying intermediate-range missiles
In addition to the US military bases, Guam is also equipped with the sophisticated THAAD weapons system which is capable of destroying intermediate-range missiles
Officials have sought to brush off fears and say there has been no change in the threat level for now
Officials have sought to brush off fears and say there has been no change in the threat level for now
Tourists board on a bus along a street in Tamuning on the island of Guam
Tourists board on a bus along a street in Tamuning on the island of Guam

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