E-LAND Micronesia Resort Inc. hosted a press conference and an island tour on Wednesday for visiting members of the South Korean media to boost the exposure of CNMI tourist destinations in its largest market.
Fielding questions from the South Korean media members were Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Marianas Visitors Authority Board Chair Gloria C. Cavanagh, MVA Managing Director Jamika Taijeron, MVA Deputy Managing Director Judy C. Torres, MVA Marketing Manager Thomas King and E-Land MRI Executive Managing Director and Kensington Hotel General Manager Dennis Seo.
The visiting media members are Seubin Yoon of NEWS1, Soyeon Yoon of Korea JoongAng Daily, Jubi Oh of The Chosun Daily, Jieun Kim of Maeil Business Newspaper, Seunghoon Cheon of The Dong-A Ilbo and Gyeongrok Kang of EDaily.
They will be on island until March 9, and are planning to join the Saipan Marathon set for Saturday, March 8.
The Korean journalists wanted to know what the CNMI has to offer as a tourist destination.
E-Land’s Seo made a Power Point presentation regarding MVA’s ongoing campaign, “This is the Marianas.”
He said E-Land MRI invited the Korean journalists to help showcase the islands’ unique beauty.
Governor Palacios welcomed and thanked the media members for visiting the CNMI to learn more about Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, “and to see the beautiful nine shades of blue in our ocean.” He also told them that they would meet their fellow South Koreans who have made Saipan their second home.
Because Korea is the CNMI’s primary market, he said “we need to grow it, sustain it, and nurture it. There’s no question about it; it’s the most vibrant and sustained tourist market that we have,” he added.
He noted that E-Land MRI, which has been in the CNMI for many years now, continues to develop the local tourism industry and sustain the Korean market. E-Land operates Kensington Hotel, Pacific Islands Club and Coral Ocean Resort.
For her part, MVA’s Taijeron said the CNMI possesses a natural and unique beauty that draws visitors from around the world.
She said the CNMI offers an island way of life — relaxed, vibrant, and welcoming yet deeply rooted in tradition and most of all has a strong sense of community. She said there are several Korean families and business owners who have called the CNMI their home, and became part of the island community.
She said tourists will experience the warm sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and genuine island hospitality. She expressed hope that the visiting media members will help “share our story with the world.”
“Thank you for visiting the Marianas. Thank you for your support and welcome to the Marianas,” Taijeron added.
Cavanagh also welcomed the visiting journalists, saying “it is very important for us that you chose the CNMI.” She thanked them for coming to the islands so they can tell the people in Korea what they need to know about the CNMI, and why they, too, should come here.
NEWS1’s Seubin Yoon said since it would be her first time participating in a marathon, she wants to report on her Saipan Marathon experience. She also wants to highlight the need for more nightlife on the island, noting that Saipan lacks nighttime activities.
Korea JoongAng Daily’s Soyeon Yoon said she would like to focus on Saipan’s attractions.
“We were told it only takes two hours to go around the island in a car, but it is so packed with a lot of activities like the resorts, the water parks, the golf courses and other sports activities,” she said.
“The fact that you can stay here for four or five days, and not miss any of them is a good attraction,” she said.
According to MVA, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota decreased 26% to 17,744 visitors in January 2025, compared to 23,840 visitors received in January 2024.
In December, MVA said visitor arrivals from South Korea registered 11,929, 29% lower than 16,770 visitors received in January 2024.
CNMI tourism arrivals and hotel occupancy rates remain significantly below their pre-pandemic levels.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamaika Taijeron, MVA Board Chair Gloria Cavanagh and E-Land MRI Executive Managing Director and Kensington Hotel General Manager Dennis Seo join visiting journalists from South Korea during a press conference at the Kensington Hotel’s Queens Hall on Wednesday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios gestures as he answers a question from a visiting Korean journalist during a press conference at the Kensington Hotel’s Queens Hall on Wednesday.
