The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) is advancing educational tourism opportunities from Japan through its continued engagement with Meikai University, a private institution in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. GVB recently facilitated courtesy visits between Meikai University representatives and the Office of the Governor on September 1 and September 9, 2026, as university students and faculty visited Guam as part of an immersive overseas study program.
The relationship between GVB and Meikai University began following the university’s participation in GVB’s Educational Travel Forum in Japan in 2025. The initiative has since developed into a significant educational travel program that brings Japanese university students to Guam to experience the island’s culture, environment, economy, and regional significance firsthand.
At the heart of these efforts is a strong network of local partnerships, with GVB connecting Japanese educational groups with the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, mayors’ offices, schools, University of Guam (UOG), and community partners to expand opportunities for learning and cultural exchange. The initiative was also made possible through cooperation among GVB, Meikai University, Japan Airlines, the Japan Association of Travel Agents, Ken Corporation, and other local and Japan-market partners.
“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 current Meikai University study tour, taking place from August 29 through September 13, includes approximately 800 students, professors, faculty, and staff. GVB supported the program through pre-departure orientation seminars and by connecting the university with local educational and community partners, including UOG.
As part of the program, students participated in a Sustainable Development Goals lecture through Guam Green Growth, learning about sustainability initiatives led by UOG’s Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant across Guam and the broader Micronesian region. The delegation also took part in an exchange workshop at UOG that included educational lectures and facility tours at the School of Health Sciences.
GVB is also supporting other university-level educational exchanges from Japan. In collaboration with the University of Guam, 16 students from Kyoto Ryukoku University visited Guam as part of an English Adventure Program. On August 26, 2026, GVB conducted a presentation highlighting Guam’s rich history and culture. The students’ itinerary also included visits to the Guam Museum, the Consulate General of Japan in Guam, and Chamorro Village.
GVB also welcomed representatives from Chikusei City, Japan, as part of its continued engagement with Japanese communities and partners. Most recently this month, the delegation met with Dededo Mayor Peter Benavente, visited Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School, Bishop Baumgartner Memorial School, as well as additional northern schools where they toured the campuses and discussed potential educational exchanges and future connections between students in Chikusei City and Guam.
“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.”
As of August 2026, Meikai University has incorporated the Guam overseas study program into its core academic curriculum as a mandatory experience for incoming university students. The program is fully funded by Meikai University and is projected to bring approximately 1,000 students to Guam annually, creating an estimated pipeline of 6,000 university students over the six-year program lifecycle.
“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 anticipated annual influx of students will also provide economic benefits across Guam’s visitor industry, including hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, cultural attractions, tour operators, and other local businesses. By generating travel demand outside of traditional leisure periods, educational tourism can complement Guam’s existing visitor segments and contribute to a more balanced tourism economy.
GVB will continue working with Meikai University and its partners to strengthen the program and explore additional educational travel opportunities from Japan.
