The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported a 35% occupancy in April. They need to reach at least 80% to profit. They continue to be in survival mode.

Dennis Seo, Chair, HANMI, said, "All the hotels of the HANMI, they are losing money. They are struggling financially."

Ivan Quichocho, Vice Chair, HANMI, added, "It could be as much as half a million a month, for one hotel."

And with Hyatt Regency Saipan’s closure in June, it’s a grim forecast for tourist arrivals this summer. "It is a good chance we are going to be net negative for the total number of flights in 2023 versus 2024," Quichocho added.

HANMI also reported that the average room rate dropped by $10.68, down to $122.12, due to competition with other beach destinations.

"We are at a low occupancy and making less money for the occupancy we do have," said Quichocho. HANMI says air service this summer will likely not meet or exceed last year’s numbers.

Sachiko Gerrard, a HANMI board member, shared, "We do not want another Hyatt Regency [closure], so we share as much as possible, we get together [to discuss] what we need, plan it and then speak out and to reach out for whatever we can get help [with], working with the Marianas Visitors Authority."

Seo added, "We have to put together some preparation or some measures so that we can still survive in such challenging circumstance."