GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres said the CNMI is now in the final stages of signing an agreement that aims to revive the Japan tourism market.
He said the Marianas Visitors Authority has been working tirelessly to make sure that the islands will once again welcome Japanese tourists.
The governor said he hopes to share more good news about the Japanese market soon.
“We have been working hard to bring in our Japan market here, so that is in the pipeline and soon you will be getting more updates on that,” he said.
“There is good news that I hope I can share with you, but not yet…. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, we’ll have an agreement that we can publicly announce.”
He added, “Now that we’re moving forward with Japan market opening up, we welcome any airline that will be able to assist us in our vision and our goal to bring back our Japan market.”
In April, MVA said there had been meaningful communication with Skymark Airlines and United Airlines regarding the resumption of a direct Japan-Saipan flight service this summer.
But Skymark would not be able to participate in the Tourism Resumption Investment Plan, or TRIP, for Japan, as it is currently primarily focused on domestic flight routes.
However, MVA said it received positive feedback from United Airlines.
Last month, United Airlines reintroduced its Osaka-Guam service, and has since then added flights between the two jurisdictions to meet summer travel demands.
