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MVA to woo Korean honeymooners anew
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Posted on Jan 19 2005
The Marianas Visitors Authority is moving to woo Korean honeymooners back to the Northern Marianas after years of losing the market to cheaper destinations.
MVA managing director Vicky Benavente said the tourism office is now preparing for the Weddex Spring Travel and Trade Show, the biggest wedding exhibition in Korea.
Benavente noted that the honeymoon market was the core travel market from Korea to the CNMI prior to the Asian economic crisis in 1997. However, stiff competition in the global market and attractions of cheaper destinations, particularly Southeast Asia, took the travel segment away from the CNMI, as well as from Guam.
Arrival statistics showed that only 159 of the Korean tourists that visited the islands last month cited honeymoon as their reason for coming to the CNMI. This represents 4.15 percent of the total arrivals from Korea and a decline of 47.18 percent from December 2003.
Benavente said with the recent tsunami disaster faced by Southeast Asia destinations, the Korean honeymoon market is looking for other destinations to fulfill their need for a honeymoon vacation.
Phuket and the Maldives were one of the top destinations for Korean honeymooners, MVA said.
“We are aware of the challenges these Southeast Asian destinations are facing, but we too have a role to play and that is market our destination whenever and wherever there is an opportunity,” Benavente said.
MVA also announced that it will participate in the Korea Overseas Travel Fair in June, after five years of absence in the show.
A planning committee consisting of MVA officials and business representatives has been formed and their first meeting was held Tuesday.
“The CNMI’s active presence at KOTFA is long overdue. Budget constraints and other priorities held the CNMI back from this event for 5 consecutive years,” said MVA deputy managing director Martin Duenas. “Events such as this are an effective marketing tactic targeting general consumers and trade people in Korea. It is one element of MVA’s marketing efforts to ensure we stay competitive in the market.
KOFTA is the largest travel and trade fair in Korea. It will be held in Seoul from June 2 to 5, 2005.
