Legislature commits to added funding for MVA

The Legislature committed yesterday to granting the Marianas Visitors Authority’s request for a $2-million supplemental budget for advertising and promotion.

Senate President Joaquin Adriano said the two legislative chambers would sign a joint resolution seeking additional funding for MVA by tapping not more than 1 percent of the budget of each department or government agency.

“The resolution still needs to be studied by our legal counsel and the budget officials. But that’s the first option we’re looking at right now,” Adriano said after MVA made a presentation on its request.

Other possible funding sources brought up during the discussion at the Senate Chamber were the Compact-Impact funds and the Managaha landing fees.

“MVA does have a strong argument. There is no question that they need the money now in order for the CNMI to remain competitive in the Japan market. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to come up with the funding to assist them. I’m confident that all the Senate members will support giving $2 million to MVA,” Adriano said.

He refused, though, to give a time frame within which the amount can be released. “We look at it as an urgent matter, but there are still some steps we need to take before that resolution can be finalized,” he said.

Initiated by Sen. Paul Manglona, yesterday’s meeting followed on the heels of the Tourism Summit on Tuesday, where key tourism industry leaders discussed the declining arrivals from Japan and MVA’s dwindling budget.

At the summit, MVA reported that the Commonwealth’s marketing budget lags behind those of its closest competitors.

The tourism agency noted that Guam’s $10.5 million budget is almost triple the CNMI’s $3.7 million. The marketing budgets of Hawaii and Australia are $41.15 million and $93.6 million respectively.

MVA-Japan managing director Michael Merner also briefed the participants on the latest trends in the Japanese travel market and displayed the CNMI’s strengths and weaknesses as a destination for Japanese tourists.

Merner stressed that the Northern Marianas needs a fresher image to attract more visitors, especially amid the stiff competition the islands are facing. He presented a marketing plan for 2005-2006, but pointed out that such programs would only be possible with funding availability.