ACTING Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente says funding for the promotional efforts in the Chinese and Korean markets will come from the $2 million earmarked for the Japanese market.
“We recognize the importance of our Japanese market, but we also feel that the emerging China and Korean markets need to be supported,” Benavente told Variety.
MVA will propose that 60 percent of the $2 million will be allocated for Japan while China and Korea will get 20 percent each, she said. Tourists from China and Korea markets are “willing to spend more,” she said.
The Governor’s Strategic Tourism Planning Committee recommended the appropriation of an additional $2 million for tourism promotions.
Benavente is optimistic that the Legislature will support their funding request. Now that the China market has been opened by the inaugural flight of China Southern Airlines, the CNMI should sustain its promotional efforts there, she added.
