THE Palacios-Apatang administration’s two nominees to the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors appeared Friday before the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations.
They outlined their priorities and agreed with the senators who said that MVA should rely on local culture to set the Marianas apart from other destinations.
Jamika Taijeron is the assistant general manager of Duty Free Saipan Ltd. while Sachiko Gerrard is acting general manager of Aqua Resort Club.
If confirmed, Taijeron said her top three priorities are to find and package attractions, develop and maintain tourist infrastructure, and structure a budget that supports MVA’s strategic goals.
Gerard said her three priorities are restoring Japanese air service to the Marianas, promoting the islands in Japan, and highlighting their unique aspects that impress visitors.
Senate Vice President Donald Manglona of Rota believes the CNMI tourism industry is “lacking” in its presentation of local culture.
“When you see these [hotel] dinner shows you’re seeing Tahitian [dance] or hula,” Manglona said. “There hasn’t been a shift into more of [local] storytelling — the Chamorro- or Carolinian-style entertainment,” he said.
Sen. Paul Manglona, also of Rota, said even in the food and beverage industry that supports tourists, there is a lack of local touch.
“When you go to the Philippines you see Philippine mango…but when you come to the CNMI you don’t see [local fruit],” he added.
Saipan Sen. Celina Babauta, the EAGI committee chairwoman, asked the nominees to promote Chamorro and Carolinian cultures when highlighting the Marianas.
She said in Hawaii, each island is marketed differently and this adds variety to tourists.
Babauta hopes MVA will keep Tinian and Rota in mind if Taijeron and Gerrard are conformed.
“Each island has their own personality,” Babauta added.
Babauta, who is a military spouse, also mentioned military tourism.
“Military families enjoy being tourists in different parts of where they are stationed,” she said.
According to MVA’s “Strategic Plan Toward Sustainable Tourism Industry 2021-2031,” its three overreaching goals are to “honor the heritage of the Chamorro and Carolinian people”; “provide authentic, meaningful, and memorable visitor experiences”; and “enhance tourist and historical sites to ensure a premier destination experience for visitors that nurtures local culture and resources….”
Jamika Taijeron
Sachiko Gerrard
