SENATE President Edith Deleon Guerrero on Tuesday prefiled Senate Bill 23-2 which aims to “enhance the Marianas Visitors Authority’s capabilities in promoting the CNMI and attracting tourists to visit the Commonwealth.”
Noting that the tourism industry is vital to the growth of the CNMI’s economy, S.B. 23-2 states that the continued development of the tourism industry should be encouraged.
However, the bill added, MVA’s duties enumerated in current law “do not fully encompass the actions MVA may undertake in promoting and attracting tourists to the NMI.”
The bill states that MVA will have the following additional duties:
• Planning, designing, and proposing projects and programs to enhance the CNMI as a tourist destination.
• Developing tourist-enhancement projects, including but not limited to recreational and public facilities that will attract potential visitors. MVA may collaborate and work with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources-Division of Parks and Recreation in developing facility designs and the overall improvement of the sites under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation and the mayors of the respective senatorial districts.
• Sponsor and issue grants for projects and programs to increase visitor satisfaction.
