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Section 7. Hosting visiting Dignitaries
Guam has become a hub of regional and international travel. As a popular stopping point for political and economic leaders, both East and West, Guam’s international airport serves an important function.
Arrangements for welcoming visiting dignitaries at the airport should vary according to the official position of the guest. Heads of state should be accorded proper courtesy befitting their position. Top officials at the national level should also be afforded high honors upon their arrival at the airport.
Chamorro hospitality extends to airport arrivals of visiting dignitaries. Leis or floral arrangements are offered to arriving guests as a gesture of welcome. A reception line which follows the order of precedence should be at hand to welcome visiting dignitaries. When it is appropriate, an honor guard and a band should be planned to welcome guests at the airport.
The governor can exercise the option to place other local officials in the reception line. For example, the Consul General and his/her wife/husband should be placed after the Governor and the First Lady (if applicable) upon the arrival of the head of state of the country the Consul General represents.
In case of the arrival of members of Congress or other elected or appointed federal officials, Guam’s delegate to Congress should be placed next to the Governor if he/she is on-island.
There is no iron-clad rule governing the formation of a receiving line. It depends upon the purpose of the reception; the person being honored and persons present at the reception. When appropriate, the military officer in attendance will head the receiving line and serve as host for all visiting dignitaries.
However, when the dignitary is a head of state, or others whose visits relate to civil matters, the Governor or his/her representative shall head the receiving line.
For dignitaries visiting from foreign nations, it is important to note culture specific protocol as to avoid offending the visitors. If the dignitary is visiting from a country that is a member of the Consular Corps, it is best to consult their office to ensure proper protocol is observed. For all other nations, the Protocol Office of the Governor of Guam should be consulted.
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