By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
IN light of the looming suspension of flights from South Korea, the administration of Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola is monitoring tourism revenue on a monthly basis.
Variety was told that the administration will need to obtain information from the Marianas Visitors Authority on tourist arrival projections before it can make a new forecast.
In a WhatsApp interview, Finance Secretary Tracy B. Norita confirmed that the department is monitoring monthly revenues to determine whether the air service suspension of Korea–Saipan scheduled for March 29, as announced by Hotel Association of NMI Chairman Dennis Seo, will have fiscal impacts on the established budget.
Looking ahead to next fiscal year’s budget, Norita noted that the Governor’s Revenue Council includes officials from MVA, and the administration will rely on the agency’s forecasts of all potential impacts on the tourism industry.
On Tuesday, Seo issued an open letter to members of the council, calling attention to “a time-sensitive issue we are currently facing regarding the Korea–Saipan air service for the 2026 summer schedule.”
He said that due to current unfavorable market conditions — including a strong U.S. dollar, Korean Air’s capacity focus on the Guam route, intensified competition from more price-competitive Guam offerings, and the emergence of alternative beach destinations in Vietnam and Japan — “travel agencies are no longer able to commit to hard block purchases.” As a result, both T’way Air and Jeju Air have turned to Eland Micronesia Resort Inc. “to consider assuming this structure.”
Seo is the general manager of Mariana E-Land Corp. Micronesia Resort Inc., which oversees Coral Ocean Resort, Pacific Islands Club, and Kensington Hotel.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
