ARC mulls improvements as it turns 15

As Aqua Resort Club celebrates its 15th anniversary on Saipan this month, its management revealed that the hotel is mulling renovation plans to maintain the establishment’s competitiveness in the industry.

ARC general manager Mark M. Murai said the hotel is planning to improve its guestrooms and other facilities. He said, though, that the improvements would be implemented gradually.

Murai said ARC remains unique in the hotel industry, being one that is conducive to local culture and has a relaxing seaside ambiance with beautifully landscaped coconut trees.

ARC’s occupancy rate improved at 74 percent in June 2004. Under Murai’s leadership, the hotel managed to survive difficult times when the Asian economic crisis began in 1998, up to the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and even when the SARS epidemic and Iraq war impacted on the travel industry worldwide last year.

Murai said ARC enjoys a high number of repeat guests, an indication of the clients’ satisfaction with the facilities and services at the hotel. He said the improvements being eyed aims to better please its guests.

“We foresee the growth in the travel industry,” Murai said, optimistic that the emerging Chinese market would soon boost the CNMI’s tourism and hotel industries. Murai also noted the economic recovery of Japan, the CNMI’s premier tourist market.

ARC’s 15th anniversary fell exactly on July 5. The hotel’s management hosted a dinner cocktail for its local patrons. ARC also hosted a separate cocktail reception for travel agencies and related industries earlier this month.

“It’s a gesture of appreciating the very strong local patrons. I appreciate very much the support of the community,” Murai said, adding that these guests helped ARC weather hard times.

The hotel offered promotional discounts from June to July 4 on its popular Seafood Night and Sunday Brunch, which entitled guests to raffle prizes that include round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation on Guam.

ARC, operated by Aqua Resort Co. Ltd., is owned by the Mac Homes Co. Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan.

Murai, an Economics degree holder from a California university, has more than 25 years of international experience in the hotel and travel industry and has been ARC’s general manager since the hotel opened on Saipan 15 years ago. He said ARC has been “the most hospitable” in the CNMI’s hotel industry.