LET’S be honest. Saipan’s tourism marketing still feels stuck in 2005. We’re recycling the same beach photos, the same slogans, and brochures that haven’t aged well. Meanwhile, Palau is promoting sustainability, Bali is welcoming remote workers with rice field Wi-Fi, and Fiji is trending on every social media platform.
And Saipan? We’re still handing out pamphlets at trade shows, hoping someone stops by.
The tourism world has changed. Travelers today — especially younger generations — want more than sunburns and selfies. They’re searching for meaningful, memorable experiences: cultural immersion, local cuisine, hiking trails, WWII history, and stories they can take home. They want authenticity, not just advertising.
It’s time Saipan reinvents — not just rebrands.
Here’s what we need to do:
• Modernize our marketing. Stop relying on committees and clip art. Empower real content creators and storytellers who can share Saipan’s magic through video, photography, and social platforms.
• Champion local businesses. Promote eco-lodges, family-run cafés, and homestays — not just large hotels. Tourists want local flavor.
• Maximize value from MVA. We need results, not just travel budgets. Focus on measurable ROI. Revive public-private partnerships, not just participation in overseas events.
• Embrace Education Tourism. Position Saipan as a living classroom: ocean labs, indigenous culture, culinary academies, and eco field trips. Why not major in Paradise 101?
Let’s innovate experiences:
• A “Taste of Saipan” Food Festival — celebrating true local cuisine, not just imported ingredients.
• Wellness tourism — yoga retreats, traditional healing, and island relaxation that rivals Bali.
• Digital nomad-friendly zones — good Wi-Fi, great coffee, and better sunsets.
• WWII heritage restoration — with guided tours and interactive museums for history lovers.
And to our new MVA managing director, Ms. Jamaika Taijron — your reputation for vision and innovation is well-known. We urge you to lead boldly and decisively. Let’s stop making excuses like “it’s not my department” or “not my jurisdiction.” When it comes to rebuilding Saipan’s tourism, it’s everyone’s job.
Saipan can’t afford to live in the past. The world is evolving fast, and so must we.
Tourism is not about nostalgia. It’s about transformation.
Let’s stop repeating. Let’s start reinventing. Let’s make Saipan unforgettable — for the right reasons.
