NMI to open offices in 3 China cities

Gov. Juan N. Babauta has approved the release of $300,000 for the establishment of promotional offices in three key cities in mainland China in anticipation of an upswing in tourist arrivals from that country.

According to public information officer Peter Callaghan, the governor approved the creation of the marketing offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, which would be used as centers for the dissemination of information about the Northern Marianas.

The offices will be responsible in ensuring that the Northern Marianas—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota—is marketed as a destination of choice.

While the CNMI office in Hong Kong would monitor activities and promotional opportunities in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the offices in the People’s Republic of China would focus on driving marketing activities to boost the CNMI tourism industry.

Also, Callaghan said the offices would carry out various tie-up programs, monitor tours, conduct campaigns, develop a website, and create brochures that would focus on specific targets.

“These offices will provide the Marianas Visitors Authority with strategic marketing plans for the destination in all areas applicable. They would work with airlines and networks to increase awareness and visibility of the destination,” he said.

In a report submitted by the MVA, the agency urged the CNMI to prepare as efforts are in the works for making the CNMI part of the Approved Destination List. To further this effort, the MVA proposed to have both marketing activities before and after the ADS approval.

The release of the $300,000 is part of the additional $500,000 investment made by the CNMI government to advance tourism and marketing efforts.

According to the governor, this is on top of the $2.6 million the CNMI expended for promotional activities to rebuild the CNMI’s tourism sector.

The CNMI government has also partnered with the Strategic and Economic Development Council and the MVA in leveraging $500,000 in contributions from its business members into $16 million worth of promotions.