Guam's ho-hum airport: Whose belly button do we press?
By Joseph B.D. Arriola
After years of complaints, studies, and promises, Guam's airport continues to fall short of the world-class gateway our island deserves.
I recently returned from a trip to the Land of the Morning Calm, South Korea, and while the experience was memorable, what struck me most was not the destination itself. It was the airport.
Modern airports are much more than transportation hubs. They are the first handshake a community extends to visitors and the last impression it leaves behind. They reflect a region's culture, priorities, competence and pride.
Walking through Incheon International Airport, I was reminded of what a world-class gateway looks like: clean, efficient, welcoming and thoughtfully designed around the traveler experience.
As much as I love Guam, returning through our airport was a sobering reminder of how far behind we have fallen.
For decades, we have promoted tourism as the lifeblood of our economy. We spend millions marketing our beaches, our culture, our hospitality and our natural beauty.
We tell the world that Guam is paradise. Yet every visitor's first and last experience of our island is not Tumon Bay, Two Lovers Point, Ritidian, or a CHamoru fiesta. It is the airport.
Unfortunately, that first impression often falls short.
Visitors arriving from major Asian airports are accustomed to facilities that immediately communicate a sense of place and identity. In Guam, too much of the airport experience is defined by long stretches of white concrete walls and uninspiring spaces.
Yes, there are murals here and there depicting CHamoru culture, but they are not enough. Visitors should feel Guam the moment they step off the plane. They should be immersed in the colors, history, traditions and spirit of our island. Instead, many areas feel institutional rather than inspirational.
The shortcomings go beyond appearances. Some airport restrooms need far greater attention to detail. Travelers should not encounter facilities that appear neglected, poorly maintained or in need of updating.
Restrooms may seem like a small thing, but they leave a lasting impression.
Their condition speaks volumes about how a facility is managed and how much pride is taken in the traveler experience. Quite frankly, some of what visitors encounter today is embarrassing. It is not the image Guam should present to the world.
This is not merely an aesthetic issue. Airports are critical economic infrastructure. They shape perceptions and influence whether visitors recommend a destination or choose to return.
Business travelers, military personnel, investors, and tourists all pass through the same gateway. If Guam wants to compete globally, our airport must do more than process passengers. It must represent the very best of who we are.
Imagine if the airport became a true showcase of Guam's identity. We have no shortage of talent on this island. Our local artists could help shape the visitor experience.
Visitors could learn about CHamoru seafaring traditions through artwork reflecting the uniqueness of our island. Instead of endless white walls, travelers would encounter a gateway worthy of paradise.
The issue is not the workforce's dedication. The issue is a lack of sustained investment, vision and urgency.
Which raises an obvious question: Whose belly button do we press?
Who is ultimately responsible for ensuring that Guam's gateway reflects the quality and hospitality we claim to offer the world? Is it the airport authority? The administration? The legislature? At some point, responsibility must have a name and an address.
We have discussed these shortcomings for years. Hardly a month passes without a social media post, online article, or comment criticizing some aspect of our airport. Whether the complaint concerns aging facilities, maintenance issues, restroom conditions, or a lack of cultural identity, the criticisms are remarkably consistent.
Residents notice it. Visitors notice it. The public has identified the problems. The question is whether those responsible are listening.
We have heard promises, plans, studies, and proposals. Yet the same concerns continue to surface year after year.
The contrast between Seoul and Guam should not discourage us. It should challenge us. First impressions matter. For an island that depends on tourism and prides itself on hospitality, our airport should be a source of pride, not disappointment.
As I walked out of the terminal and into the warm island air, I was grateful to be home. But I could not help wondering why the gateway to paradise still falls so far short of its potential.
Guam deserves better. The visitors who support our economy deserve better. The residents who call this island home deserve better. The only remaining question is: Whose belly button do we press to finally make it happen?
Joseph B.D. Arriola is a resident of Dededo.
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