Guam Expands Japan Tourism Links With New Educational Travel Partnership for Future Visitors

“Guam has a longstanding relationship with Japan, and educational exchanges such as this give us another meaningful way to strengthen our ties,” said Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero. “We are pleased to welcome Meikai University students to Guam and provide them with an opportunity to learn about our island, our people, and our unique place in the region. These experiences create lasting connections that can extend well beyond their time here.”

The ongoing Meikai University study tour, held from August 29 to September 13, 2026, has brought around 800 students, professors, faculty members, and staff to Guam for an immersive educational experience. The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) supported the programme through pre-departure orientation sessions and by helping establish connections between the university and local education and community partners, including the University of Guam (UOG).

During their visit, students took part in a Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) lecture organised through Guam Green Growth. The programme introduced participants to sustainability projects led by UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, highlighting environmental initiatives across Guam and the wider Micronesian region. The delegation also joined an exchange workshop at UOG featuring academic presentations and guided tours of facilities within the School of Health Sciences.

GVB continues to expand educational tourism cooperation with Japanese universities through additional exchange programmes. Working alongside the University of Guam, GVB supported a visit by 16 students from Kyoto Ryukoku University as part of an English Adventure Program. On August 26, 2026, GVB delivered a presentation introducing students to Guam’s history, cultural traditions, and unique heritage. The programme also included visits to the Guam Museum, the Consulate General of Japan in Guam, and Chamorro Village.

GVB has also continued building relationships with Japanese communities through educational and cultural partnerships. Representatives from Chikusei City, Japan, recently visited Guam as part of these ongoing efforts. During their visit, the delegation met with Dededo Mayor Peter Benavente and toured Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School, Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School, and other northern schools. The discussions focused on potential educational exchanges and future connections between students in Chikusei City and Guam, further strengthening people-to-people ties between the two destinations.

“Educational travel is an investment in the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Joshua F. Tenorio. “When students come to Guam to learn, they develop a personal connection with our island and our people. We hope they take that experience home with them and continue to share what they learned about Guam with their families, friends, and communities in Japan.”

From August 2026, Meikai University has integrated its Guam overseas study programme into the university’s main academic curriculum, making the international learning experience a required component for new incoming students. Fully funded by Meikai University, the programme is expected to bring around 1,000 students to Guam each year.

Over the six-year programme period, the initiative is projected to create a continuous flow of approximately 6,000 university students visiting Guam. The expansion represents a significant opportunity to strengthen educational tourism links between Japan and Guam while providing students with direct exposure to the island’s culture, environment, and regional importance.

“Educational tourism provides Guam with an opportunity to build a deeper and more sustainable connection with the Japan market,” said Régine Biscoe Lee, GVB President and CEO. “We are proud to welcome these university students to Guam and give them the opportunity to experience our island firsthand and make lifelong connections. Through their time here, they are learning about our CHamoru culture and hospitality, connecting with our community, and gaining appreciation for Guam’s natural environment.”

The expected yearly arrival of students is set to deliver wider economic benefits across Guam’s tourism sector, supporting hotels, transport services, restaurants, cultural sites, tour companies, and other local businesses. By creating visitor demand beyond traditional holiday travel seasons, educational tourism can help diversify Guam’s tourism base and contribute to a more stable and balanced visitor economy.

GVB will continue collaborating with Meikai University and its partners to enhance the programme, strengthen educational exchange opportunities, and identify new avenues for expanding educational travel from Japan to Guam.