International Tourism Research Notes
Industry focus in Guam and Micronesia
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,…
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,…
Once upon a time, Guam was known as the honeymoon capital or the island of honeymoons. In the 1970s and 80s, newlyweds from Japan boarded short-haul flights not to Hawaii, but to this western Pacific outpost, a speck on the map that promised romance, leisure, and just enough exoticism. Hotels sprouted on Tumon Bay, and…
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” »
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…
This is the last post as part of a 3-part Taiwan Travel Series In an era where travelers crave more than just photos and souvenirs, Taiwan has masterfully redefined agritourism by transforming passive observers into active participants. Gone are the days of simply touring farms—today’s visitors are rolling up their sleeves, harvesting ingredients, and crafting…
Read More “From Cocoa to Cosmetics: How Taiwan Turns Tourists into Artisans” »