Cute New Carabaos at the Guam International Airport

Check out Antie Cara and Uncle Bao -Carabao get it? Bwa ha ha ha. They are the latest edition to the Guam's Carabao's on Parade program. They were unveiled Thursday Afternoon at the Guam International Airport. Here's the GIAA write up on the unveiling:

What are Tan Cara and Tun Bao? Tan Cara is a female carabao and Tun Bao is her male counterpart. They are the Airport’s new mascots for Chamorro hospitality, meeting and greeting our tourists and returning residents at the Terminal.

The A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority purchased and painted two carabaos in support of ‘Carabaos on Vacation’, a program by the Guam Chamber of Commerce that is intended to stimulate culture, commerce and tourism on Guam.

What are Tan Cara and Tun Bao wearing? To display Guam’s local dress and attire, Tan Cara is wearing a mestiza and Tun Bao is wearing an island shirt and pants. After all, first-time visitors must be greeted by a local!

What is the Carabao? The carabao, known as the water buffalo elsewhere, was Guam’s traditional mode of transportation and used widely to pull carts and plow fields. Over the years, they have come to symbolize strength, hard work and humility. Carabaos are still bred by local farmers today and can be found roaming all over the island.

What will ‘Carabaos on Vacation’ do for Guam? ‘Carabaos on Vacation’ was inspired by similar projects around the United States, but originated in Zurich, Switzerland. In an effort to promote tourism, Zurich displayed over 800 decorated cows around the city and drew in over one million new visitors.

Chicago was the first city in the U.S. to launch such a promotion, called ‘Cows on Parade’. It was so successful that it created an economic impact of $200 million and generated more than one million visitors that summer.

The Guam Chamber of Commerce has brought ‘Carabaos on Vacation’ to Guam to stimulate and promote Guam’s tourism, culture and commerce. Where will all the Carabaos be displayed? The Airport’s two ‘Traveling’ carabaos will be permanently displayed at the Airport to welcome and greet guests as they enter Guam.

They will be open to the public to take pictures and appreciate as a symbol of Guam’s warm culture and hospitality. More carabaos will be displayed at other visitor attraction sites around the island as part of a contest for tourists. Once they have located and photographed all the carabaos, including the one at the Airport, they will be eligible to win prizes, including a ticket to Guam!