Holiday Tours customers from Japan and students from Hopwood Jr. High School were among those who joined the annual walk, he said.
“Every year, we publish a package tour to entice Japanese tourists to come to Saipan,” Espleta said.
Before the start of the walk from the south garden of Hafadai Beach Hotel, the Hopwood students sang Christmas carols for the tourists.
Espeleta said the Christmas Walk was conceptualized by the Marianas Walking Association which eventually collaborated with the Marianas Visitors Authority to make the annual walk part of a month-long activity that included running and a canoe event.
Last year, he added, the event featured a costume contest, a caroling contest, a Christmas decoration contest and other events for students.
But because of MVA’s lack of funding, the event this year was focused only on walking, Espeleta said.
Among those who joined the Christmas Walk were House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente, his wife Vicky and their family, Rotarian Kim Forrester and Hopwood principal Jonas M. Barcinas.
The walk started at 4 p.m. and participants headed north to the Micro Beach pathway through the Paseo de Marianas.
They then proceeded to the end of the walkway near the Army Reserve Center in Puerto Rico before returning to their starting point.
Espeleta thanked all their sponsors and supporters especially the walking enthusiasts who continue to participate in the health-enhancing walking program of the Marianas Walking Association.
