GOLF in the CNMI has reached the attention of over 50,000 golf enthusiasts in Japan Golf Fair 2010 at the Big Site in Tokyo last month.
The fair held from Feb. 19 to 21 drew over 31,000 golfers, 18,000 golf trade representatives and 500 media representatives, according to Marianas Visitors Authority.
The MVA put up its own booth at the Fair site and distributed information brochures about the NMI’s golf courses. NMI representatives there also engaged the Big Site visitors with a questionnaire about their golf preferences.
Free eco-bags sponsored by Delta Airlines also helped attract people to the booth.
The participants in the survey were also eligible for a raffle drawing for gifts from Fiesta Resort & Spa, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Mariana Resort & Spa, Saipan Country Club, and Aqua Resort Club Saipan.
“The Japan Golf Fair serves as a venue for golf products and golf destination promotions, so it’s a strategic opportunity to entice Japanese golfers with the beauty, the proximity, and the high quality of our courses,” MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio said.
Last month, he said, 16 percent (3,394) of visitors to Saipan, Tinian and Rota indicated golf as one of their travel plans while in the islands. Compared to January 2009, the number of Korea visitors coming to the islands to play golf has tripled to 21percent of all Korean visitors.
Golf courses in the Northern Marianas include seven on the island of Saipan and one on Rota, and there are several driving ranges to tune up the game before playing.
The CNMI’s golf courses are Kingfisher Golf Links in Talalfofo, Laolao Bay Golf Resort in Kagman, Coral Ocean Point Resort in As Gonno, Marianas Country Club in Marpi, the nine-hole Saipan Country Club in Chalan Kiya and the Rota Resort & Country Club on Rota.
MVA said thousands of consumers depend on the information they gather at the fair for making plans to play the game at new locations, either for business or recreation.
The MVA’s position at the annual fair ensured the high-end golfing visitor and has ample information to choose the Saipan or Rota golf destination.
