MARIANAS Visitors Authority product development marketing manager Tatiana Babauta said the Covid-19 pandemic gave MVA a chance to rethink its marketing strategies and approach.
“People around the world have been deprived of the opportunity to travel to see new places or visit the familiar destinations that they enjoyed, and to learn about new cultures and/or explore new adventures,” she said.
“We know that today’s travelers choose their destinations based on culture, nature, and adventurous activities,” she added.
She believes that the CNMI, as a destination, has it all and it has an opportunity to become a desirable as well as sustainable destination.
“The focus now is to unite the tourism sector and work together toward welcoming and attracting potential travelers,” Babauta said.
“MVA is currently working on Tourism Sustainability Plan 2030 and one of the main goals is to focus on honoring Chamorro and Carolinian people’s heritage, natural and cultural resources.”
She added, “We want to give travelers the opportunity to learn and experience the Chamorro and Carolinian cultures.”
At the same time, she said, “we want to support and give opportunities to local artists, musicians and dancers to showcase their talent and share their stories. We want to provide an authentic, meaningful and memorable visitors’ experience.”
Babauta said all of these can be done by working together with the public, private and non-governmental organizations.
“MVA continues to set up meetings with different groups to develop an action plan that will be beneficial to tourism-related businesses, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, and the local community.”
She said MVA, the offices of the governor and lt. governor, the Department of Corrections, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Office of Grants Management are working on repairing and/or renovating tourist sites in Marpi, such as the Grotto and Suicide Cliff.
She also said there are similar projects on Tinian and Rota with the mayors working with the Public Assistance Office, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers and other agencies.
“We want to shift the minds of our travelers and in order to achieve that, enhancing our islands is critical as we want to be known as a world-class destination,” Babauta said.
MVA has invited lawmakers to an NMI tourism orientation scheduled for Feb. 24.
