KnightConsult LLC senior tourism adviser Manuel L. Knight, who received a contract to draft the Marianas Visitors Authority’s five-year tourism master plan, offered his unique perspectives regarding the Northern Islands, Aldan said.
Knight was one of the invited guests during the series of meetings held by those organizing the 1st Northern Island Development Summit which will be held in September.
“I appreciate your candid dialogue and positive disposition over the potential role the Northern Frontier could play in boosting the recession- and inflation-ridden economy of the commonwealth,” Aldan said in a letter to Knight.
He said Knight offered a vision for eco-tourism and other related development activities on Pagan such as agri-tourism, edu-tourism and adventure-tourism tied in with a passenger cruise liner ocean adventure.
Aldan thanked Knight for enlisting the participation of the mayor’s office of the Northern Islands in the ongoing “conversation and exploratory dialogue on strategically enhancing the destination viability of the CNMI.”
Aldan wants Knight to be one of the guest speakers or panelists in the upcoming summit.
He asked Knight if he can help spread the news about the Northern Islands so it will generate interest among U.S. scientists, federal agencies, businesses, investors, study tour companies and study abroad college students.
Aldan informed Knight about a local company that has expressed interest in engaging in a large-scale pineapple plantation on Pagan.
The company, the mayor said, plans to convert sugar cane by-products into ethanol fuel as an alternative source of energy.
“Both ideas are consistent with our redevelopment strategy and our vision to harness alternative sources of energy up north, such as solar and thermal energy, both in great abundance in the Northern Frontier,” Aldan said.
He noted that the U.S. Department of the Interior recently awarded the CNMI $1.26 million to explore, develop and harness geothermal energy based on a study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
