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‘No ban on Chinese tourists in Rota’
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Posted on Dec 20 2004
There is no such ban on Chinese tourists going to Rota as indicated in earlier reports, according to Gov. Juan N. Babauta.
“Not at all. I have no idea about that,” said Babauta in an interview.
He said that federal officials, in fact, have began calling the CNMI Office of Homeland Security to inquire about the reported restriction on the entry of Chinese tourists to Rota.
“They’re asking if that’s true. As far as we know there’s no ban,” said the governor.
The Rota Legislative Delegation has questioned the reported ban on Chinese tourists to their island.
In a Dec. 17 letter to Babauta, Rota Sen. Diego M. Songao said the decision to bar Chinese tourists from Rota is unfair and irrational and would have devastating effects on the island’s economy.
“If you, as governor, are concerned about Rota’s ability to adequately police the Commonwealth’s southern border, then please help us provide a plan to increase security there… but do not discriminate against your fellow citizens from Rota. We are one Commonwealth. We should certainly act like it. Please do not deny the people of Rota from benefiting from all the hard work your administration has put forth in obtaining [approved destination] status for the CNMI,” Songao said.
This came after Marianas Visitors Authority board chair David Sablan reportedly announced during an MVA membership meeting that based on talks between Babauta and federal officials, the movement of Chinese tourists would be confined to Saipan and Tinian “for defense reasons.”
This is in view of the anticipated influx of Chinese tourists with the formal signing this month of the ADS agreement between CNMI and China.
With the approved destination status, MVA projects to bring in at least 55,000 Chinese tourists in fiscal year 2005.
