New Saipan attractions ready in three years

At least seven new attractions are projected to be developed and added to Saipan’s tourism landscape in two to three years.
In his recent presentation to industry leaders, tourism destination enhancement ad-hoc chairman Ivan Quichoho cited the following development projects:

* Construction of a Japanese temple near Banzai cliff in three years;
* A bigger, sophisticated Paseo de Marianas in two years;
* Port to Park pathway;
* Royal Palm Historical Park in central Garapan in over three years;
* Calavera staircase and other caves development;
* Susupe Lake Park in two years; and
* Mt. Tapochau cable car in three years.

These projects would require several millions of dollars to accomplish.

There has been no talk about specific funding sources for the projects.

Quichocho said the architectural drawings for the Japanese temple are done.

It will be built in a land north of Saipan, which was donated by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.

Paseo de Marianas in downtown Garapan, he said, is already a huge improvement but it needs more activities and tenants.

“Further improvements both in activities and aesthetics are required to maximize this area as a tourist attraction,” Quichocho said.

He said a series of five designs and an investor package have been completed for the project.

For eco-tourism development, Lake Susupe and cave enhancements as well as flame tree projects are top priorities.

“These are existing natural features on Saipan that have not been used as tourist sites. We plan to turn them into new attractions,” the ad-hoc chair said.

Proponents plan to build a boardwalk and kiosks alongside the lake, giving it a serene and charming ambiance.

The site will also be ideal for kayaking, educational tour, and nature watching.

The boardwalk extends approximately 1 mile and it takes about an hour to walk the entire loop.

Two observation towers would be built to give visitors a spectacular view of the area.

Calavera staircase, tram

The Calavera Cave, located at the northend of the island, is proposed to have calm lighting and a stairway to give visitors a safe access to its inner recesses.

Quichocho said the interior would reveal astounding sights and natural features such as running water and mysterious rock formations.

The cave will be surveyed by an archeologist and submitted to the national registry of historic cites “due to artifacts, pictographs and petrogliths in the cave.”

Quichocho said a private investor has developed plans and lined up financing for a tram ride project up Mt. Tapochau.

He said final discussions are being finalized with affected landowners.

Royal Palm Park

The proposed Royal Palm Historical Park will encompass the Sugar King area, the Central Garapan Park, and the CNMI Museum.

It would also consist of latte stone traditional village, Japanese temple and traditional tea house, performance area and storytelling, Micronesian Legends Garden, scenic pond and model boats, sugar train ride around the park, a tram building for Mt. Tapochau ride, and Chinese Cultural Center and tea house.

Quichocho’s adhoc committee report is part of the government’s five-year tourism strategic plan, which aims to increase tourist arrivals to 1 million a year.

As of fiscal year 2006, the CNMI received nearly half a million tourists.

The strategic plan, which is implemented primarily by the Marianas Visitors Authority, envisions that the CNMI shall have carved out its own niche in international tourism as an authentic tropical paradise, a popular destination known for its natural beauty and clean environment, rich culture, and a vibrant community.

Part of the strategy is to position the CNMI as a “medium-priced destination” rather than “an expensive low-cost destination.”

Right now, the CNMI is perceived as a low-cost destination despite its dollar currency, MVA said.

Other destinations in Asia like Bali, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia have lower-valued currencies, elaborate facilities, a greater choice of shopping, nightlife, and a high level of hospitality service.

“The clear advantage of positioning the CNMI as a medium-priced destination is that it puts us in the same bracket as our competitors, albeit in the lower range. But being in the lower range of the mid-priced bracket serves as an impetus for the CNMI and gives adequate room to greatly improve its tourism product,” MVA said.

Based on the five-year plan, the CNMI aims to bring in 500,000 tourists from Japan in four years, representing 50 percent of total arrivals; 250,000 or 25 percent from China; 150,000 or 15 percent from Korea, 25,000 or 2.5 percent from Taiwan; 10,000 or 1 percent from Russia; and 65,000 or 6.5 percent from other markets.