Why don't more Australians visit Guam or Saipan for holidays?

[Dr Ralph]

ESTA.
I could go to NZ visa free as an Aus citizen, and prior to covid, used to go 3 times a year.

I'd rather pay for the ESTA than go to NZ.

 

[justinbrett]

I went to both places earlier this year (including Tinian)

Saipan is basically third world with a few hotels catering to Asian tourists. When I stayed at the Hyatt I had to walk next door to Crowne Plaza for meals as Hyatt didn’t have western food. With similar islands in our own country, and certainly in our own region, I don’t see why people would make the trip even if there were nicer resorts.

Tinian has a lot of historical value (and my motivation for going) but even fewer choices for accomodation.

Guam used to be nicer but investment stopped decades ago. Even the nicer resorts like Hilton or Westin are old and faded and poor value compared to what you’d get in Hawaii.

I think if you were in to diving maybe but for the mainstream tourist I don’t think they are compelling destinations. Hawaii isn’t that much further and is a much better choice.

They aren’t that had to get to, I went in via ICN and out via NRT, and flew from SPN to GUM. It was all pretty easy, just time consuming.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Can say you've been to the USA.

The Federated States of Micronesia's relationship with the United States is governed by a Compact of Free Association (COFA), which involves grants/money. In return, the US has strategic access, i.e., land, water, and air, with expansionary plans given the geostrategic power projection on current identified threats.

few of us who don't want to step foot in the USA full stop.

You wont!

 

[Quickstatus]

Similar distance as Bali (about 6 hours flight)

What 6hr flight?
I can get to LAX a lot quicker and say I'm in the USA.

There is nothing there except WW2 history and diving
I used to Dive but don't any more due to severe nausea underwater.

However, it does get some tourism traffic and many travellers here on AFF regale us with their travels to places less visited and as you can see some AFF members have visited those islands - but I dare say not because of the reasons you offered. Indeed, we should visit places that not in our Timezone, are non English speaking, far away and difficult to get to and not just because it's part of some jurisdiction

Re WW2 history, you can dive the Solomon's and see US shipwrecks but you will need a Deep diving cert as they are at least 25m depth.

 

[ols]

Julian gives Saipan a big thumbs up

 

[Cloud9]

Julian gives Saipan a big thumbs up

Didn't look like his thumb, to me...

 

[Happy Dude]

I went to Saipan 20 years ago. Ex-JPN package deals are cheap, especially for golf (relative to Japan or Hawaii). I wouldn't rush back unless I was hella into scuba diving all of a sudden. Nice enough place though.

 

[GrahamBRI]

Julian gives Saipan a big thumbs up

Expensive status run???

 

[Cloud9]

Expensive status run???

14 years? Seems about the norm for a QF A380 delay now...

 

[Quickstatus]

Julian Assange visited Saipan on his way back to AU

 

[Cessna 180]

I'd rather pay for the ESTA than go to NZ.

I do not understand why anyone would wish to go to America over NZ, but that is just me and I am glad we are all different. Perhaps I will go there one day, however there are many places in the world I wish to go to first.

I will admit this is driven mainly by my dislike of how so many Americanisms are creeping in to our vernacular, coupled with the way every time we turn on the telly or any social media America seems to be driven down our collective throat.

 

[Denali]

Loved Guam but a pita to get to and Guam customs was one of the worse experienced. We went to Palau and Yap via Guam.
Edit. Immigration on arrival one of the worse

 

[Quickstatus]

Immigration on arrival one of the worse

That fits in with the "can say you've been to the USA"

 

[Nick C.]

The Federated States of Micronesia's relationship with the United States is governed by a Compact of Free Association (COFA), which involves grants/money. In return, the US has strategic access, i.e., land, water, and air, with expansionary plans given the geostrategic power projection on current identified threats.



You wont!

There was a 'birth-tourism' problem there 10 years ago with women showing up posing as tourists, then giving birth and their child automatically gets birthright US citizenship.

Surely it counts as US soil if Jus Soli applies?

 

[burmans]

I do not understand why anyone would wish to go to America over NZ, but that is just me and I am glad we are all different.

I think this was maybe just a cheap shot for laughs (but no one actually laughed).

 

[Sprucegoose]

There was a 'birth-tourism' problem there 10 years ago with women showing up posing as tourists, then giving birth and their child automatically gets birthright US citizenship.

Surely it counts as US soil if Jus Soli applies?

Yep, it seems to be an issue in a few places! I've known people to move house so the kids could go to specific schools.

Guam and the FSA, while both parts of Micronesia have different government and executive structures. Guam is a US Territory, whereas FSM (refer to my post) is a sovereign island nation that consists of Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae. I still haven't been to Kosrae, but it's on the list.

 

[Cessna 180]

I think this was maybe just a cheap shot for laughs (but no one actually laughed).

I did not mean to offend, I just genuinely do not understand so many peoples fascination with America. No cheap shot implied.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I did not mean to offend, I just genuinely do not understand so many peoples fascination with America. No cheap shot implied.

Our diverse perspectives, shaped by our unique travel experiences, are what make our discussions rich and engaging. I don't believe your position could ever be taken as offensive, as airline machinations over the years have already toughened most AFFs' skin.

I find that inexperienced and young travellers are generally 'fascinated' by the US, but who wasn't by US pop culture when they were younger?

For more seasoned travellers, while I don't seek out US travel as a priority and for its own sake, I would like to think I retain a curiosity about how the Union remains intact with all that is thrown at it, with what I could only describe as a multicultural contradiction. There are many things I don't understand about the US, but that would never preclude my inquisitively seeking an understanding, given I am always surprised and disappointed with every trip.

 

[k_sheep]

Would love to go - I'm a keen diver. But wayyyyy too expensive - why bother when the diving is as good or better in Indonesia which is cheaper and easier to get to, with much better food?

 

[Scarlett]

We went there SYD-MNL-GUM return when PR offered one of their ridiculously cheap J sales. Overnight stopover in Manila paid for by PR.

Guam was nice and relaxed. Golf was good. Not into luxury for luxuries sake so was quite happy. Also took a side trip over to Saipan and enjoyed a couple of relaxed days there as well. Note that Saipan is part of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). It is not part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) as some have alluded.

Would I go back, sure, but there’s still ~110 other countries I’m planning to see, so not likely to return any time soon.