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Chamber vows support for Asiana Airlines
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Posted on Aug 04 2005
Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Alex Sablan expressed its support to Asiana Airlines’ plan for via-Seoul flights between Saipan and various Japanese cities, hoping that it would alleviate the situation brought on by the impending pullout by Japan Airlines.
Sablan also lauded Asiana over its plan to increase flights from Korea.
Calling the plan as promising, Sablan said its implementation would help fill the void of 150,000 yearly airline seats that would be lost when JAL pulls out.
Recently, Sablan said the Strategic Economic Development Council met with government representatives in the hope of relaxing tourist visa requirements, especially for special tourist groups.
He also said he would work with the Chamber’s membership and the Marianas Visitors Authority in enhancing the islands’ attractions.
Asiana-Saipan general manager Kwang Joong Kim said that the Korean air carrier was in the process of offering service between Saipan and various Japanese cities, with one stop at Inchon International Airport.
Asiana flies 19 routes to and from 15 cities in Japan. But for the Saipan service, the airline wants to tap into particular travel markets in Sendai, Toyama, Fukuoka, Yonago, and Fukushima.
Kim reported that a trial operation of such Japan-Saipan flights received a favorable response from Japanese tourists a month and a half ago. For this reason, he said he was confident that the new service would succeed.
In his speech at the Chamber’s membership meeting at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach’s Azucena Hall Wednesday, Kim also said that he would increase the Korean market share among CNMI visitors.
He said he would target Korea’s family market, and also the education market, saying that about 200,000 Koreans travel abroad yearly to study the English language. He added that Koreans studying abroad spend approximately $4 billion yearly. “If we advertise, many Korean students will be here.”
Kim also said he would offer Saipan as filming site for Korea’s soap opera market. The Chamber’s Sablan said the move would provide Saipan massive media exposure in Korea.
