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Bring them to Rota!
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Posted on Feb 03 2005
I applaud Mr. David M. Sablan’s efforts in assisting our local government in obtaining the Approved Destination Status for the CNMI. This is certainly welcome news for our tourism industry and will help bring in badly needed revenue for our struggling economy. However, I continue to be troubled by his comments that bringing in Chinese tourists to Rota is a security risk and a concern of our local government. He asserts that by allowing Chinese vacationers onto Rota, we allow easier access for these affluent Chinese nationals to illegally enter Guam.
Firstly, I have spoken with the Attorney General’s Office and administration officials about this matter and they have assured me that there is no concern regarding Chinese tourists into Rota.
Secondly, and for the record, to my knowledge there has never been a single incident of a Chinese national on Rota that has attempted to illegally enter Guam. As far as I know there have only been two incidents in recent years where individuals have attempted to illegally enter Guam. However, neither of these incidents involved individuals originating from Rota.
Lastly, we are one Commonwealth. We should look at the big picture and market the CNMI as one destination. We should all work together to harness our energies and do our best to welcome our Chinese visitors into the CNMI. As is the case in the United States, once a tourist has entered the U.S. mainland on a tourist visa they are welcome to move free from state to state. And so it is here in the CNMI that our visitors should be free to move from village to village, including Sinapalo and Songsong, and not be limited to a particular island or village.
In closing I encourage Mr. Sablan to bring in Chinese tourists to Rota so that they may enjoy the beauty and hospitality our island has to offer. I hope this day is sooner than later so that the people of Rota may also enjoy the benefits of Mr. Sablan’s and the administration’s hard work in obtaining the ADS for the CNMI.
Sen. Diego M. Songao
Chairman
Rota Legislative Delegation
