Saipan’s 1st LGBTQ+ tours and wedding company launched

Sincerely Saipan Destinations, an online tour and wedding company specifically catering to the island’s LGBTQ+ community, held a mixer and launch party last June 6 at Mama Rio’s Cafe.

The event coincided with Pride Month and saw friends and local business owners of Sincerely Saipan Destinations’ PK Phommachanh-Daigo and Myla Deets in attendance with 9Eleven’s Power Duo providing the evening’s entertainment.

Phommachanh-Daigo and Deets actually organized Sincerely Saipan last month, but the idea was originally created in 2021 when the latter returned to Saipan from San Francisco and worked remotely for a U.S.-based executive search firm as principal partner for Asia Pacific and North America.

Seeing the challenges faced by the island’s tourism industry, he felt compelled to aid in its recovery. He believed that his dual master’s degrees in social work and business administration, as well as his experiences in event planning business on the side while pursuing an MBA, would give him an advantage.

He then approached Deets, owner of MyCapitures Photography, to become business partners. Deets loved the idea and recognized the strength and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.

The business partners believe that embracing the LGBTQ+ tourism market is an opportunity to breathe new life into the local economy.

“International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s data underscores the potential economic impact, with the LGBTQ+’s tourism market’s annual worth of over $200 billion reflecting its substantial purchasing and spending habits,” said Phommachanh-Daigo.

He added that Sincerely Saipan is more than just a business venture, it’s a community project to revitalize the CNMI’s economy as they are committed to collaborate with existing local businesses while welcoming new enterprises.

“We are hoping that Sincerely Saipan and its collaboration with a lot of other businesses would be very successful. It’s something new and as we know the CNMI has never really been easily adaptive to anything new, it’s always scary but this is rebranding. This is about reconnecting with people we haven’t met and starting a new community and a whole new tourism, so I’m all for it,” said Rep. Marissa Flores (Ind-Saipan).

House floor leader Rep. Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan) was also optimistic about the new business and said, “It can be very effective if marketed well, we know that there are countries where they do not allow same-sex marriage and we do. They can come here and get married, enjoy our beautiful island. I’m excited about the possibilities and right now with an economy going through a difficult time, it’s going to be help it. We hope that everyone will support and embrace it.”

Joseph Rosario, owner of newly opened floral design company Marianas Xroses, hopes to collaborate with Sincerely Saipan soon. “All weddings need flowers, so I truly hope for the best for them, and I hope to design more for them.”

Sincerely Saipan Destinations would like to thank all the sponsors of last week’s mixer and launch party, namely Hafa Adai Rent A Car/Joeten Motors, Island Skin Solutions, Ina’s Kitchen, Panda House, Pho Tam, Office of Rep. Vince Aldan, Cookie Shop, Velleza Blowdry Bar & Spa, Athlete’s Foot, Committee-to-Elect Ed Propst, Office of Rep. Diego Camacho, TurnKey Solutions, Island Training Solutions, Office of Rep. Marissa Flores, First Lady Wella Palacios, Latte Built, DB Media, Pride Marianas, Last Shot Bar, 9Eleven Restobar, Manuel’s Catering, Tom Yum Restaurant, Mama Rio’s Cafe, LaBine & Associates, MyCapitures Photography, International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Salt & Barber, Matthew Deets, Koronan Tasia, Marianas Xroses, Top Shelf Wine & Spirits, WESTCO, and Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.

Sincerely Saipan will be co-hosting Pride Karaoke at Tom Yum Restaurant this Saturday, June 15, that will start at 7:15pm and would like to invite the community to join.

To know more about Sincerely Saipan, you can visit their website www.sincerelysaipan.com. For inquiries and booking, you may call (670) 286-3010.