Selling the CNMI as a tourist destination should not just mean selling the islands as separate destinations but as one, multi-island destination, where Saipan tourists can also go to Tinian or Rota on day trips, or go on an adventure trek in the Northern Islands\u2014all while preserving the islands\u2019 natural beauty and marketing the islands\u2019 pristine state.<\/p>\n
This, in brief, was the focus of a presentation yesterday during the Governor\u2019s Council of Economic Advisors general membership meeting at the Kensington Hotel Saipan in San Roque, with Darlene Zhai who joined online, as guest speaker.<\/p>\n
Zhai, who is the author of the Sustainable Tourism Development Study prepared for the Marianas Visitors Authority in 2017, said the Marianas has the natural beauty that is competitive with other top-tier destinations like Fiji, Maldives, and French Polynesia. \u201cTo move toward that direction, we have to work on destination improvement efforts\u2026and it is about making the best use of what the Marianas has to offer to turn it into a world-class destination,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Zhai, an expert on destination tourism planning and sustainable development, is no stranger to the CNMI as she has traveled around the islands several times and the experience has helped her come up with a plan on how to repackage CNMI into a multi-island destination.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the islands in the CNMI have pristine environment and untouched beauty that caters to a larger, unique and upworthy experiences that could elevate its position as a multi-island destination,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
According to her, it is important to recognize that Saipan is the hub of the Marianas as it has the largest tourism activities and attractions. \u201cIn order for the Marianas to succeed as a multi-island destination, it is imperative that Saipan\u2019s existing facilities undergo extensive revitalization. \u2026Two hindering factors are the accommodation imagery (old facilities and hotels) and limited global brand representation,\u201d Zhai said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompeting destinations like Guam and Hawaii also have hotels, many of them international brands. They were developed in the \u201970s and \u201980s but they have undergone numerous rounds of renovations throughout the years to remain competitive and to make sure that their revenue generating capabilities are maximized. Although facilities are old on Saipan, they are located in a great shoreline size, which helps to get good reviews online ,\u201d Zhai said.<\/p>\n
She noted that Saipan is also home to numerous tourist attractions and activities. \u201cThis includes Managaha tours for snorkeling and diving opportunities and Garapan for the shops and restaurants. \u2026If you look at online reviews, the natural beauty of the islands are always highlighted and this shows that there is room for improving the destination, better management of these areas to take it to the next level,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
According to Zhai, Saipan has the potential to attract what\u2019s called in the business as \u201cfree independent travelers\u201d and it can open opportunities for international hotel brands to come in by giving them attractive lease agreements, thereby new job opportunities that will make it harder for the younger generation to leave.<\/p>\n
To attract tourists who are already on Saipan to explore other islands, access to these islands is critical. \u201cTinian is a great attraction as an ideal day-trip or get-away destination, provided accessibility from Saipan to Tinian is available. \u2026Scheduled ferry service and flights from Saipan are important to facilitate day trips. \u2026Additional creative access options can include helicopter and seasonal fishing excursion from Saipan to Tinian,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Revitalizing and building upon Tinian\u2019s existing natural and cultural assets would also make for a great base for hundreds of thousands of guests arriving via Saipan each year, she said. That could include branding Tinian as the \u201cFestival Island of the Marianas,\u201d supplemented with great local cuisine and sporting events, and packaging the Tinian tour with a roundtrip ferry with access to three signature attractions like House of Taga, Exploration Trails at Punta Carolinas, and Taga Beach, with options for tourists to visit North Field or join Goat Island Adventures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese will sound attractive to tourists and are great opportunities for tourists to explore,\u201d Zhai added.<\/p>\n
Zhai described Rota as a perfect setting for tourists who are looking for \u201creturn to nature\u201d experiences because Rota is centered around its natural beauty. \u201cWe can put Rota in premium positioning for upmarket guests that after more meaningful experiences. \u2026The idea is to offer nature-based experiences to a small amount of market guests that will allow them to interact, have harmonious relations with residents that ties in perfectly with Rota\u2019s reputation as a friendly island and nature\u2019s Treasure Island,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In terms of Rota accommodation, Zhai said the most ideal is to have small-scale properties\u2014like a 50-room bungalow style that is centered around nature and not adding pressure to the existing local infrastructure. In terms of attractions, Rota has a complete collection of relics or historical sites that represent culture or ethnicity that has had a significant influence on the Marianas, Zhai said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea here is to market the entire island as a nature reserve which is an opportunity that is rarely available in larger destinations,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n
In her presentation, the Northern Islands, particularly Pagan, was also highlighted and seen as destination for hardcore adventure seekers. \u201cWe are looking for real adventurers and special occasion guests to be attracted to come and see the Northern Islands. Since there are no available accommodations, we can showcase the true uniqueness of the destination by the \u2018live aboard\u2019 experience and explore potentials for permanent facilities in the future. \u2026The main highlight is the opportunity to be able to explore more than one islands, whether it\u2019s visiting the Black Beach, enjoying water activities at the lake or being able to hike in completely untouched forests and beautiful caves, and of course, a lot of water activities for snorkeling and diving and appropriate sites,\u201d Zhai said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile most of their nights are going to be spent on the boat, there could be opportunities in the immediate term to be looking at glamping options, whether in a tent or a self-contained trailer. \u2026There could be opportunities to have more permanent facilities like having a tent camp, like some tours offered in South Africa. It would be a perfect setting for something like this,\u201d Zhai added.<\/p>\n
Collating the attractions of each island, Zhai suggested potential itineraries that can promote island hopping and target the different islands in one trip or one destination.<\/p>\n
GCEA co-chair Jerry Tan said this is in line with the GCEA\u2019s vision of transforming the Marianas into a multi-island destination that they hope will be fully executed by 2030. He recounted that the GCEA put together the Public-Private Partnership initiative, which he described as \u201ca combination of experience and resources of the private and public sectors with the intention of helping the CNMI develop into a world-class destination.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the islands are seen as part the opportunity. They are all part of the brands and also rely on tourism to have an economy. \u2026I look at this opportunity to finally be able to see tourists stay longer and want to visit the other islands because that is the ultimate success of the Marianas as a destination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, who is also a GCEA co-chair, funds from the American Rescue Plan Act will be used to fund projects that pertain to boosting tourism and projects of the Marianas Visitor\u2019s Authority.
\nThe GCEA was formed in May last year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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