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HANMI calls for action on solicitation of tourists
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Posted on Nov 23 2000
The Hotel Association of the Northern Islands (HANMI) isn’t giving up on a quest by its members to stop solicitation of tourists. In a move to help improve conditions for visitors to the islands, the Association has adopted a resolution requesting the Commonwealth government to pass legislation that would restrict or control harassment of tourists on the beaches and streets of Garapan.
“We realize that the downturn in tourism has made business difficult for a lot of beach vendors, just as it has for our hotels. However, the aggressive soliciting at hotel beach fronts as well as the Garapan tourist area is becoming a serious threat to our competitiveness as a destination,” said HANMI president Ronald D. Sablan. “The number one reason tourists come here on vacation is to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches. Many are finding the experience of being solicited unpleasant and are complaining that they can’t even enjoy a peaceful walk on the beach.”
Signed on behalf of the association’s membership by HANMI President Ronald D. Sablan and Secretary Hideo Sugiyama, the HANMI resolution noted that tourists on Saipan are subject to constant harassment and verbal abuse by many solicitors and others who lay in wait for them on hotel beach front areas. As a result, numerous tourists are registering their complaints with hotels.
“One of our members went so far as to document this on a video that we shared with the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Japan Saipan Travel Association. Preventing over-solicitation of tourists is a difficult problem that other destinations such as Hawaii have already addressed. At this time, we need the help of our local government to seek solutions before we do long-term damage to our island’s image,” said Sablan.
The Hotel Association requested that the 12th Northern Mariana Legislature take priority action in preparing and passing appropriate legislation that will restrict, curtail or otherwise regulate the activity and conduct of improper solicitation of tourists on the hotel beach front areas as well as Garapan.
