OFFICIALS from the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport conducted a site inspection of the CNMI last weekend and were impressed by the CNMI Covid-19 protocols, Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo said on Saturday.
Two officials from South Korea arrived on Thursday, July 29 to conduct the inspection, then left on Saturday, July 31.
Iakopo said the inspection was to ensure that what the CNMI presented to South Korea prior to the signing of the travel bubble agreement is in fact what is occurring in the Commonwealth.
The travel bubble applies to nationals, foreign national families of nationals, permanent residents, and families of permanent residents.
Those who wish to travel between the CNMI and South Korea under the travel bubble agreement must complete vaccination against Covid-19 at least 14 days ahead of departure with vaccines approved and provided by their respective governments.
In general, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
“The feedback that we got was that they were very impressed with the Covid-19 safety protocols… and best of all, they really got to experience how our hospitality is. Just the interactions with our local family [had them saying] that they will come back with their families [next time],” Iakopo said.
The travel bubble flights arrive two days a week with T’way Airlines arriving on Thursday, and Jeju Airlines and Asiana Airlines arriving on Saturday.
The first travel bubble flight arrived on Saturday, July 24.
Safe travels
Iakopo said that as part of their inspection, the South Korean officials also went through the list of establishments partaking in the Marianas Safe Travels Program.
The program is in line with the World Travel and Tourism Council or WTTC Safe Travels Program, which identifies common standards to ensure the safety of workforce and travelers as the travel sector shifts to a “new normal.”
The WTTC Safe Travels Program is recognized on a global scale to provide Covid-19 safety recognition for the tourism trade, as well as domestic and international consumers, encouraging both consumers and the tourism trade to support businesses displaying the Safe Travels stamp with confidence.
The Marianas Safe Travels Program is available to all businesses in the CNMI who align their Covid-19 safety guidelines and protocols with those of the program, demonstrating a commitment to the safety of employees, customers, and the community.
The program is endorsed by the Governor’s Covid-19 task force and is said to help keep everyone safe.
MVA is the lead agency with authority to issue tourism businesses with the Safe Travels stamp to ensure the safety of the CNMI community, while simultaneously supporting the tourism industry in making a robust recovery.
Local businesses within the tourism industry can demonstrate their commitment to global health and safety standards by applying to be Safe Travels-approved, free of charge.
Businesses will be promoted and recognized as a Safe Travels establishment for residents and visitors.
Moreover, businesses certified under this program with fully vaccinated employees may be eligible for promotions or giveaways under the Marianas Tourism Resumption Investment Program, or TRIP, under the CNMI Office of the Governor, as coordinated by the MVA.
To obtain the Safe Travels stamp, businesses are encouraged to review the WTTC guide via https://wttc.org/COVID-19/Safe-Travels-Global-Protocols-Stamp to ensure that their business aligns with expected global protocols for their respective sectors.
They are then encouraged to fill out and submit the application form via https://www.mymarianas.com/clean-safe-marianas/ and upload their business health and hygiene records.
For assistance with the application process, email safetravelsmarianas@mymarianas.com
Participating businesses
As of Tuesday, Aug. 3, 50 businesses or governmental partners were approved for the program: 360 Revolving Restaurant, ABC Stores, Aqua Connections, Inc.; Aqua Resort Club Saipan, Aquadive, Asia Pacific Hotels, Inc. dba Century Hotel and dba Tribes Bar & Grill; Century Tours, Chun Ji Restaurant, Chung Gi Wa Restaurant, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, DANI Corp-Sabana Massage Shop, DFS at Saipan International Airport, DIVEWISH, ETE Café, E&F Tour, Gajago Saipan Tour, Hana Tour Service, Inc.; Interpacific Resorts Saipan Corporation dba Pacific Islands Club Saipan, iShop Saipan, J&K Marine Sports, Inc. (Let’s Go Marine); Jang Gun Restaurant, Jang Won Restaurant, Korea House Restaurant, KTB Tour, Let’s Go Tour Company dba SeaTouch, Light Tour, M&M Taxi Services, Mango Six Café, Marianas Creations, Marianas Lighthouse Restaurant, Marianas Trekking LLC, MG Mall, Micronesia Resort, Inc. dba Kensington Hotel Saipan; Mode Tour, Monster Pizza Pub, Namdaemoon Restaurant, Phoenix Enterprises, Inc.; Plumeria Steakhouse, Saipan Adventures, Inc.; Saipan Good Tour, Saipan World Resort, SASAMO Tour, Shirley’s Coffee Shop Garapan, Skydive Saipan, LLC.; Surf Club, Suwaso Corp. dba Coral Ocean Resort Saipan, Tasi Tours & Transportation, Inc.; Uncle J Dive, and YB Tour.
Fam tour
The group of South Koreans who arrived for the familiarization tour on Saturday, July 17, had returned to South Korea as of Saturday, MVA Managing Director Priscilla Iakopo said.
Representatives of major travel agencies and six media and social media channels in Korea visited the CNMI to learn more about the islands in preparation for the resumption of tourism in the Commonwealth through the travel bubble agreement with South Korea.
The group spent five days at the designated hybrid quarantine resort, then visited Saipan, Tinian, and Rota after testing negative on the fifth day after their arrival,” Iakopo said.
“Community safety remains our top priority, so all members of the FAM tour spent their first five days in quarantine before exploring Saipan, Rota, and Tinian on their last two days,” she said.
“Overall, the feedback we received is that they were very satisfied with their trip, which aimed to provide them the experience and reassurance of what the Marianas can offer their customers and followers.”
Participants included Naver bloggers Joanlee and Ellena Park Eunha, Naver blogger and Instagrammer Ryufill-foto, YouTube and Instagram channels youlakk and Yo:oN the Road, and Instagrammer _peppermint.b.
The total estimated advertising value of the media fam tour is over $117,000.
TV travel show Eudiny, also part of the fam tour, remained in the CNMI another week and will produce nine one- to two-minute video clips based on their trip.
For more information, visit https://www.mymarianas.com
