International Tourism Research Notes

On a map, Guam is a speck, a comma in the Pacific sentence. For decades, though, it carried the improbable weight of a destination that promised forever: honeymoons that outshone Hawaii, shopping sprees gilded by tax-free indulgence, and beaches that seemed to bend toward the sky in a perpetual invitation. It was, for a time,…

Read More “The Island That Promised Forever” »

On Guam, food is more than sustenance; it is memory, heritage, and community layered into every bite. The island’s CHamoru culinary traditions have long been celebrated through hearty meals shared at fiestas and family gatherings. Yet in recent years, it is not the large platters of red rice or barbecue that are catching global attention,…

Read More “CHamoru Snacks: A Taste of the Island” »

In the summer of 1967, a young man stepped off a plane on Guam carrying more hope than experience, trailed by seven of his college classmates from Japan. His name was Hidenobu “George” Takagi, and his plan was disarmingly simple: to grow tomatoes. The island, small and lush, seemed ready to provide. The local stores…

Read More “The Farmer Who Stayed: Hidenobu “George” Takagi” »

When you travel for a conference, you expect to take in new ideas—but what I didn’t expect was to walk away thinking so deeply about sweets, meat pies, and cultural accountability. Earlier this year in March, I had the privilege of attending the 19th International Conference on Business, Economics, and Information Technology (ICBEIT) held in…

Read More “From Sweets to Society: Lessons learned from the 19th ICBEIT in Cebu” »

About This Article This article is based on an in-depth interview with Dr. Bill Shang, a distinguished professor with extensive expertise in international education, tourism, and cultural policy. Born and raised in Tokyo, Dr. Shang pursued higher education in the United States and China, earning a Ph.D. in Chinese history through art from the University…

Read More “Reimagining Global Competency: Why Japan’s Youth Must Embrace International Mobility” »

About This Article This article is based on an in-depth interview with Dr. Bill Shang, a Specially Appointed Professor, Research and Development Advisor, and Employment Support Strategy Office Advisor at Tama University in Tokyo, Japan, who has extensive expertise in international education, tourism, and cultural policy. Born and raised in Tokyo, Dr. Shang pursued higher…

Read More “Friendship Cities and the Future of Transnational Collaboration” »

About This Article This article is based on an in-depth interview with Dr. Bill Shang, a Specially Appointed Professor, Research and Development Advisor, and Employment Support Strategy Office Advisor at Tama University in Tokyo, Japan, who has extensive expertise in international education, tourism, and cultural policy. Born and raised in Tokyo, Dr. Shang pursued higher…

Read More “Overcoming the Language Barrier: A Prerequisite for Equitable Tourism Growth” »