(MVA) — Major South Korean travel agencies are lauding the safety measures and cleanliness of the CNMI as the destination launched a travel bubble with the Republic of Korea effective July 1, 2021. A delegation from the CNMI led by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres met on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, with company executives from Korea’s three largest travel tour companies: HanaTour, Mode Tour, and Yellow Balloon Tour. Governor Torres was joined by representatives of the CNMI Covid-19 Task Force, members of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers and the Marianas Visitors Authority
Hana Tour meeting
The CNMI’s hard work in beautifying the islands was recognized by HanaTour’s introduction when they described the Commonwealth as “Clean, Safe and Romantic!” During the meeting, the Hana Tour executive team, the largest tour travel company in Korea, was led by co-CEO Jim-Kook Kim and co-CEO Mi-Sun Song. They were very enthusiastic and excited to help boost the tourist population traveling to the CNMI because they consider the Marianas as “the Cleanest and Safest destination in the world.” HanaTour is the largest tour travel company in Korea.
Mode Tour meeting
The meeting with the Mode Tour team was led by CEO Mr. Intea Yu. CEO Yu told Governor Torres during the meeting that they were extremely impressed with his leadership in handling the Covid-19 Pandemic and overcoming the challenges facing the CNMI. He recognized the governor’s hard work and committed that he and the entire Mode Tour team will work just as hard to promote the CNMI as a preferred destination. The two delegations discussed the challenges and how to overcome them and committed to working together to ensure the success of the CNMI Tourism Resumption Investment Program or TRIP.
Yellow Balloon Tour
Mr. Song Seokwon, Yellow Balloon Tour’s senior management director, with his executive team met with the CNMI delegation. They were excited to meet Governor Torres and appreciated his leadership in bringing the CNMI delegation to meet with Yellow Balloon’s executive team. Yellow Balloons’ team was excited to hear about the TRIP program and was optimistic about their success in selling tour packages to the CNMI. Pre-Covid, Yellow Balloon holds the record for the highest sales of travel tours to the CNMI.
In 2019, almost 250,000 Korean tourists visited the CNMI and these three companies collectively represents 40% of the total outbound travelers from Korea. The positive reviews received by the CNMI delegation about the condition of the islands are a testament to Governor Torres’ leadership, Chairman Jerry Tan’s strategic planning on the Governor’s Economic Council and the Covid 19 Task Force’s effective steps to protect our community against Covid-19.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, second right, leads a delegation from the CNMI in meeting with HanaTour in Seoul, Korea, on June 30, 2021.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, left, meets with Mode Tour CEO Intea Yu in Seoul, Korea, on June 30, 2021.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, sixth from left, leads a delegation from the CNMI in meeting with Mode Tour in Seoul, Korea, on June 30, 2021.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, seventh from left, leads a delegation from the CNMI in meeting with Mode Tour in Seoul, Korea, on June 30, 2021.
