THE spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has resulted in flight cancellations around the world, including those bound for the CNMI through the Travel Resumption Investment Plan or TRIP.
Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo said nearly 30% of passengers have either cancelled or postponed their trip to the CNMI, resulting in more than 2,000 cancellations.
“These cancellations and/or postponement are results of various factors [but] primarily fear over the Omicron variant,” Iakopo said.
On Dec. 5, 2021, the South Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported three additional positive cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, bringing the nation’s total to 12 cases.
In October, MVA estimated that about 7,794 TRIP-South Korea participants would arrive in the CNMI through the remainder of this year.
Initial numbers showed great promise and contributed to MVA’s extending TRIP from December to the end of January 2022, in the hopes of sustaining the resumption of tourism in the Commonwealth.
Recent data indicated a total of 4,834 participants from October to mid-December, roughly 62% of the numbers projected in October.
There were 1,983 participants in October; 2,121 in November; and 730 from early to mid-December.
Polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests will still be required for the passengers’ return flight to Korea.
“MVA has been seeing that the spread of the new Omicron variant is causing a concerning number of booking cancellations,” MVA Deputy Managing Director Judy C. Torres said.
“I should [also] note that prior to Omicron, airline incentives had not been utilized for any flight in October and November,” she added.
“We have been receiving some visitors who paid for their own hotel accommodations since the hybrid-quarantine requirement under TRIP was lifted last month.”
The Marianas Tourism Resumption Task Force announced the details of TRIP to stakeholders and community members on June 1, 2021.
A two-month pilot period of the program began in mid-July with the CNMI government providing federally funded subsidies to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, and related businesses to help jump-start tourism.
