“SUNNED sanctuary” and “one of the most lush and beautiful homelands in the world” was how World Traveler, the official travel magazine of Northwest Airlines, described the Northern Marianas and Guam.
Acting Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente called it “a very good article.”
Benavente told Variety that the feature story on the Mariana Islands was the concept of the writer, John U. Bacon, which Benavente said was timely since MVA wanted to do “cooperative promotions” with the Guam Visitors Bureau.
Benavente said the “exposure value” was “excellent,” noting the “very minimal” costs that MVA spent to “facilitate” the write-up.
But it was not a paid article, she said. When the CNMI learned that it was chosen to be featured on the travel magazine’s monthly issue, MVA provided assistance to Bacon and photographer Renate Kosina during their visit to Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
“And in return for our assistance, we received thousands of dollars of media exposure value,” Benavente said.
Micro Beach, with the Managaha Island as background, was chosen as the main photo for the article, “The Warmth of Hospitality—the Mariana Islands.”
In the article, the Northern Marianas was described as having the “most consistent climate on earth.”
It also shows a photo of the ancient latte stones found throughout the islands. The stones are estimated to be 1,000 years old and were used by the Chamorros in building structures that consisted of square pillars.
Banzai and Suicide Cliffs were mentioned as “moving memorial sites.”
The Grotto, according to the article, is one of the globe’s “most exotic diving holes.”
Rota is the “hidden gem” of Micronesia.
“Rota might have the very vest scuba diving in the entire world, with 19 sites to check out a wide array of coral reefs, shipwrecks and other underwater attractions,” states the article.
“Rota’s real appeal, is simply the island itself; gorgeous, clean and a lovingly maintained utopia without a single traffic light,” it added.
