Christopher Concepcion
AS 2024 comes to a close and 2025 begins, it’s an opportune time to thank the many partners — government, business, non-profit, and individuals — who have chosen to make tourism their business in this past year.
Looking to the year ahead, we are both optimistic and realistic about the state of tourism. Airlines remain one of our top most important partners — alongside travel agencies and tour operators — and with the support of the Commonwealth Ports Authority and other related local and federal agencies, we are projecting the following air service: from Seoul-Incheon, twice daily service by Jeju Air and daily service by T’way; from Busan, twice weekly service through Feb. 25, 2025; from Hong Kong, twice weekly service by Hong Kong Airlines; from Tokyo-Narita, three times weekly service by United Airlines; and daily service from Guam by United. There are positive indications of additional airlift from Japan in 2025, and MVA is also engaging with a full-service carrier from Korea for potential service.
Based on this airlift, arrivals are anticipated to increase to at least 252,000 this fiscal year, to include a full recovery of Korea arrivals and 60% recovery of total arrivals compared to pre-pandemic levels. However, we all know the tourism industry is volatile and sways easily based on local, national, and international factors. Sunday’s crash in Muan, Korea by a major Korean carrier was a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. MVA has personally reached out to the carrier offering our support at this difficult time. We are cautious about and closely monitoring the effects of this on the travelling public. Meanwhile, the development of a strong third source market remains a priority of the MVA and is critical to restoring a healthy, vibrant economy.
MVA’s marketing efforts — coupled with the development and growth of annual signature events such as the Rota Sweet Potato Festival this year — must also be accompanied by CNMI-wide destination improvements, including addressing blighted buildings, airport improvements, public restrooms, stray dogs, litter, and other issues. It’s impossible to name every office, but there is indeed a lot to be grateful for, thanks to the many contributions made in 2024.
Thank you to the Governor and Legislature for giving MVA a budget funded by hotel occupancy tax collections — $6 million. It’s certainly not as much as our competitors are funded, some with five times or more than our annual budget, but it is an amount that we agree to work with and that is allowing us to continue to make incremental increases in visitor arrivals, organize and expand MVA’s annual signature events, enhance select tourist sites, and more.
Our police officers have a challenging job. We thank the Department of Public Safety for reopening the koban in the heart of Garapan and for the work they do day in and day out in our villages to help protect our visitors and our community.
From the airlines that commit to fly to the Marianas, to our travel agency partners, hotels that offer special rates and other incentives to attract visitors, and more, we thank our private sector partners for both their collaborations with MVA and their own extensive investments in marketing the destination and elevating the visitor experience here.
Non-profits have also been instrumental, like PDM Promoters that help us organize December’s Christmas in the Marianas. Marianas Tourism Education Council remains our steadfast partner in educating students about the industry, how it helps them, and what they can do even at a young age to support tourism efforts. 500 Sails for working to provide opportunities for visitors to experience the unique traditional maritime sailing traditions of the indigenous people of the Marianas. The Saipan Rotary Club, Rotaract, Lions Club, church groups and other community organizations for their island-wide cleanups.
Our individual community members. One of the most common comments heard from visitors is how beautiful our islands are and how friendly the people are. That starts with individuals taking pride in their island home and keeping it clean, especially after a barbecue at the beach. It continues with a warm smile and greeting or a helping hand extended to a visitor. Even stopping at a random crosswalk to allow pedestrians to cross the street gets the attention of tourists, many of whom have commented that this is the first place they’ve seen such friendly automobile drivers. Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands are second to none when it comes to hospitality.
And last but certainly not least, our visitors. All 230,000+ of them who made the Marianas their destination of choice this year. Our visitors are the lifeblood of our economy, and we hope each of them who came in 2024 returned home with fond memories of our beautiful islands, our friendly people, and the experiences they had during their time with us. Thanks for choosing to spend your time with us and for telling others about the incredible place we call home.
Tourism is Everybody’s Business…thanks for continuing to make it yours in 2025!
