Massage parlors see at least 10% revenue cut

The proposed Saipan Professional Massage Committee yesterday said it expects at least a 10 percent drop in revenue once Chinese tourists stop coming to the CNMI beginning June 1 when they will be required to secure U.S. visas to enter the islands.

“At least 10 percent of revenue will be lost if we lose the Chinese market,” said Kin Wan, secretary of the Saipan Professional Massage Committee.

In Garapan, according to Wan, massages for Chinese tourists could go for as low as $10 an hour, whereas in other areas on Saipan, the same service costs at least $20.

Besides the exclusion of Chinese and Russian tourists from the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program, massage parlors in Garapan are also bracing for the March 1 deadline to comply with the requirements of the Saipan Zoning Law of 2008.

By Monday, the Zoning Office will start issuing fines of up to $1,000 per day to adult businesses that don’t comply with the law. Some examples of the requirements for adult business building design are: screened openings so the public can’t see inside; posting signs to prevent minors from entering; no outdoor loudspeakers; lighted walkways; and clean and neat exterior.

At least seven massage parlors in Garapan—Massage, Light Massage, Relax Massage, VIP Massage, Pure Spa, Palms Springs Spa, and Dolphin Salon—have banded together to comply with the zoning law, including enhancing their appearance and getting their masseuses certified or licensed in the CNMI.

Wan said the group, which he said consists of legitimate massage parlors, will create an examiner’s board subcommittee to work on procedures for getting certified or licensed, which will include cross training.

“We are looking at one week to 10 days of short course for masseuses who will be given certificates of completion, then we will recommend to the Medical and Professional Licensing Board to recognize these masseuses and have them certified,” he said.

Saipan Professional Massage Committee is also calling on other massage parlors and masseuses of different nationalities, including Japanese, Koreans and Filipinos, to contact Kin Wan at 287 6661 if they are interested in becoming members of the committee. Wan said the group is not limited to massage parlors in Garapan but also welcomes members from other villages.

Wan said once their masseuses are licensed by the government and comply with other requirements of the Saipan Zoning Law, they will be able to continue operating in the tourist district of Garapan beyond September.

These legitimate massage parlors are hoping that they won’t be lumped with so called “adult businesses” which have to move out of Garapan in September. Wan said Pure Spa, for example, spent at least $200,000 to renovate its facility in Garapan to make it look better and cleaner, to comply with the zoning law.

“We don’t want to move out of Garapan because we have invested lots of money to put up these businesses. We are legitimate massage parlors,” he added.

Zoning administrator Steve Tilley was the one who proposed the idea of forming a group of legitimate massage parlors to work together to best comply with the requirements of the zoning law.

In related news, the Commonwealth Zoning Board is now looking for a new administrator.

Tilley yesterday said he will be leaving the Commonwealth Zoning Board because he and his wife will be relocating to the mainland in April.

“I have been very fortunate to have worked for the Commonwealth Zoning Board and to have had strong support from Governor Fitial and the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation. We have enjoyed Saipan and the many friends we have made here these last six years. However, we have family obligations and now must leave,” he said.