With the CNMI\u2019s recent decision to pivot its tourism industry away from its reliance on China, one alternative market the administration is looking at is bolstering military tourism from nearby Guam.<\/p>\n
According to Daniel Aquino, special assistant for Military Affairs, the administration has already kicked into gear its plans to tap into military spending in the CNMI through tourism. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe military is always interested in exploring, diving, golfing, anything leisurely and recreational for families. That\u2019s what they\u2019re looking at. We\u2019re trying to get them to visit here from Guam. We\u2019re currently actively pursuing this,\u201d said Aquino. <\/p>\n
Aquino shared that the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs has already started establishing partnerships in preparation for this new industry. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor the governor and lieutenant governor\u2019s part, we\u2019re moving toward the direction of military [tourism] as we pivot away from our China market. We\u2019re trying to encourage [Joint Region Marianas] to conduct more military training exercises here,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs we move forward, we\u2019ve partnered with the Marianas Visitors Authority to create staycation packages [for military personnel]. It\u2019s currently in the preliminary stages. We\u2019re also working with the Saipan Chamber of Commerce on this,\u201d Aquino added. <\/p>\n
Tomorrow, representatives from Joint Region Marianas will be giving a presentation at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center on the Army Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program, which deals with providing community, soldier, and family support. Story on Page 3<\/p>\n
Aquino said the CNMI is looking at using this program to provide staycation packages for military personnel and their family to entice them to visit Saipan, Tinian, or Rota. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis forum that\u2019s happening on Tuesday is a perfect opportunity for businesses to start registering and start getting prepared for more military personnel to come here to the CNMI. This [presentation] happening on Tuesday is a good opportunity for businesses in the CNMI to take advantage of by registering their businesses with the Military Affairs office, register their businesses for a SAMS [Systems for Awards Management] number because the military\u2019s priority is businesses with SAMS numbers.\u201d <\/p>\n
Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Joe Guerrero, said the possibility of military tourism in the CNMI is good news, given the loss of one of the CNMI\u2019s largest tourism markets: China. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is just the start. From my understanding, there are more plans for military spending in the CNMI. Again, these are plans and we\u2019re hoping that the military pushes through with it. All of these is great news for the CNMI because this is one of the ways we\u2019ve talked about diversifying our economy. I think the vision isn\u2019t to replace tourism, but to add to our industries,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Guerrero said he looks forward to seeing more military families visit the CNMI. <\/p>\n
\u201cMilitary personnel [in] Guam often don\u2019t have time to go visit their families in the [United] States so they\u2019re opting to bring their families out to the Marianas to visit. We\u2019re hoping that these families will consider the CNMI as a place for them to come spend their weekends or up to a week. We look forward to this and there\u2019s better times ahead,\u201d Guerrero said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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