“Everyone is a stakeholder. Everyone recognizes that they have something in it for themselves,” he said.
Hannemann, currently president of the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association, has always been a believer in the tourism industry. “I believe it is a good, clean industry. It provides thousands of jobs, millions of revenues and if done right, can continue to be major driving force for the economy,” he said.
Aside from focusing on tourism and pursuing diversification within this industry, Hannemann said the CNMI should also work closely with the military — what he called the second pillar on the economic table of Hawaii.
Tourism brings in a whopping $11 billion in revenues to Hawaii and the military contributes from $3 to $4 billion, he added.
“There are opportunities for you to capitalize on what is happening on Guam,” he said. “If you don’t court the military, you could lose some opportunities in that area.”
In promoting the CNMI as a destination, he said, it must be emphasized that the islands vary in their offerings.
“We tell them that our destinations are very different. So that the military personnel when they are looking for R&R, they will be looking to recognize that coming to Saipan is not the same as going to Guam, Tinian, or Rota,” he added.
To attract the military, Hannemann said, there will be tradeoffs.
And although some may want to “bash” the military, “I think you would rather have the military at your home,” said Hannemann.
To revive the local tourism industry, he said the CNMI government should build the needed infrastructure.
He cited Hawaii’s efforts in averting a sewerage crisis by making sure that it sets aside funding for this endeavor.
He also mentioned the state’s investments in the Honolulu Zoo, Hanama Bay, Kapolei City, and the $5 billion rail transit system to solve a massive traffic gridlock situation.
“The longer you delay, the more you are going to pay,” he said, referring to the implementation of infrastructure projects.
The government, he added, must also provide marketing funds. “In Hawaii,” he said, it is called hotel room tax.”
Hawaii spends $70 million yearly for marketing endeavors and the state’s public safety record is “almost impeccable.”
“I cannot overemphasize enough the importance of visitors feeling that they are coming to a destination that is safe,” he said.
He encouraged the CNMI to tap into the newly passed federal Travel Promotion Act that has $40 million funding to date.
“This is a program that you can try to take advantage of,” he said.
As far as air service is concerned, with airlines cutting back on services to some destinations, Hannemann said the volatility of the jet fuel cost must not deter the islands from promoting their attractions.
