(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority has unveiled a conceptual vision for transforming the historic Japanese Lighthouse property in Saipan into a vibrant visitor and cultural experience center, while calling on government agencies, businesses, community organizations, and entrepreneurs to help create a new generation of tourism experiences that elevate the Marianas destination.
MVA was recently awarded use of the historic property by the Department of Public Lands for its new headquarters location, and the tourism office plans to expand its future administrative office into an immersive visitor experience. The concept unveiled by MVA envisions the lighthouse as a welcoming gateway where visitors can experience and learn about Chamorro and Carolinian culture, enjoy scenic ocean views, interact with artisans, purchase locally made products, participate in cultural demonstrations, and connect more deeply with the people and stories of the Marianas.
For MVA, the concept represents something larger than a single project.
“This is a vision for the kind of destination we need to become,” said MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez. “The lighthouse concept demonstrates how each government agency, business, or village can transform our existing assets into memorable visitor experiences that showcase our Far From Ordinary Marianas culture, history, natural beauty, and community.”
As global competition for visitors intensifies and airline operating costs continue to rise, Villagomez said the Marianas must focus not only on attracting visitors, but on continually improving what visitors can see, do, learn, taste, and experience once they arrive.
“Our challenge is no longer simply getting people to know about the Marianas,” said Villagomez “The challenge is giving them compelling reasons to choose the Marianas over countless destinations around the region and the world.”
The Marianas Far From Ordinary brand is built upon the pillars of nature, culture, history, adventure, sustainability, and diversity. MVA Product Development Manager Raquel Aguon said these strengths provide enormous opportunities for new visitor experiences that are authentic to the islands and difficult to replicate elsewhere.
“Our Product Development division undertakes a few key improvement projects each year — like the development of Bird Island Lookout — but overall product development is like a forest that sprouts from the entire community,” said Aguon. “Potential opportunities include guided nature experiences, hiking and birdwatching tours, cultural immersion activities, local food experiences, farm tours, historical storytelling programs, traditional craft workshops, outdoor adventure products, and community-based tourism initiatives that allow visitors to engage with the islands in meaningful ways.”
MVA is encouraging businesses, entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, government agencies, and community groups to partner in developing new experiences that bring the Marianas brand to life and strengthen the destination’s long-term competitiveness.
MVA Marketing Manager Andy Qin, who helped conceptualize the office/center alongside former MVA Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron, said as the Marianas continues its recovery following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the tourism office hopes the lighthouse concept will inspire broader conversations about the future of tourism development throughout the islands.
“MVA leads destination marketing, but it takes the whole Marianas to create attractions, operate tours, restore trails, tell stories, and develop every visitor experience so they also see the Marianas we all love,” Qin said. “Those opportunities belong to our entrepreneurs, our cultural practitioners, our farmers, our artists, our communities, and our government partners. MVA is eager to share with potential visitors these new experiences we hope will be developed to bring the Marianas brand to life and actually strengthen our long-term competitiveness.”
Villagomez acknowledged the continuing work of the mayor’s offices of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota; the Department of Lands & Natural Resources, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Public Lands, and other offices and organizations for playing an essential role in maintaining parks, beaches, historic sites, trails, and public spaces that form the foundation of the visitor experience.
“Recovery is not just about restoring what existed before,” added Qin. “It is about creating a stronger, more distinctive destination for the future. The Marianas has incredible stories, landscapes, traditions, and people. The opportunity before us is to transform those strengths into experiences that visitors cannot find anywhere else.”
Public events — free or with admission fees — can already be shared with visitors via The Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com/.
“Tourism is everybody’s business,” Villagomez said. “The future of the Marianas will be shaped not only by how we market our islands, but by what we create together.”
The MVA Community Projects Division staff began clearing overgrowth at the old Japanese lighthouse on Navy Hill this month. Once clearing is complete, a design layout for the offices will be made, followed by renovation and repair and relocation anticipated before December. The full development of the visitor and cultural experience will follow based on funding availability.
