Yesterday, the 72-year-old father of seven and grandfather of 21 other children bid farewell to the Japanese-owned hotel chain.
The hotel management led by president Katsutoshi Nagayama honored Igitol with a banquet and an award during a ceremony with his family, relatives and friends around.
“Mr. Pete has been working very hard…. He has seven children and 21 grandchildren and still working to have other children,” Nagayama said in jest as he praised Igitol’s dedication and commitment to the hotel.
Although considered retired, Igitol will still be entitled to certain privileges at the hotel after the management made him an honorary board member.
Igitol moved to Hafa Adai from Continental Airlines in 1988. He saw the heydays of the local tourism industry with the influx of Japanese tourists visiting the islands year after year during that era.
“I love this company,” he told the Variety in an interview.
He said he saw Hafa Adai grow from a modest single building to having the tallest one — the 10-story Crystal Tower.
As one of the pioneering local executives in the local tourism industry, Igitol is regarded as a mentor or teacher among Japanese assigned on island.
One of them is Pacific Development Inc. president Yoichi Matsumura.
Matsumura said he didn’t speak English when he first came to Saipan more than two decades ago.
Igitol taught him some English words and phrases and how to deal with locals.
“Twenty five years past, he’s still my teacher. If we have a problem, we always call Pete San. On behalf of the Kinki Nippon Tourist Group, we thank and congratulate him,” said Matsumura.
Igitol believes the future of the CNMI tourism still lies with Japan despite the government’s efforts to open new markets.
He said Japan and the CNMI have rich historical and economic ties that won’t fade away.
“Something has to happen. We all need the Japanese tourists to come here,” he added.
