THE Marianas Visitors Authority has commissioned the Seoul Broadcasting System to highlight the islands on one of its TV shows.
The video on the CNMI will be shown as a six-part series on “Morning Wide” which has an audience of 130,000 per episode.
The four-man crew led by media coordinator Jin Chang will feature the most popular tourist spots on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. They did a similar media coverage for the CNMI in 1999.
However, this time, the crew focused on local activities, including the outrigger racing and the recently held Flame Tree Arts Festival to depict the rich cultural heritage of the Chamorros and Carolinians.
Local medical doctors or “suruhanas” were also interviewed to give Korean tourists a glimpse of local life.
MVA commissioned SBS because Korean TV can only promote domestic traveling.
“We are focusing on the CNMI’s natural scenery and culture. (With this feature), we are expecting to help the CNMI attract a larger number of tourists who are looking for these kinds of places,” Chang said.
She added that water sport activities, which the CNMI is well-known for, are very popular in Korea.
“Watersports are growing and becoming more popular in Korea. As soon as they find out that it is easier to come here and it is more affordable, they will come,” she added.
The SBS crew had to tie their camera to a canoe to give their audience a more realistic picture of the outrigger racing.
“MVA was extremely cooperative which is vital for camera crews that have a large workload,” Chang said.
Korea is the second major market of the CNMI tourism industry. There are currently two carriers—Korean Air and Asiana Airlines—providing direct flight service between Seoul and Saipan.
