NMI Senate President supports China, Taiwan visitor market

CNMI Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero supports the private sector’s call to revive the China tourism market and wants to see Taiwan added to the islands’ source markets. 

The senate president introduced a senate resolution strongly supporting the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s plan for economic survival known as “Operation 500k.” 

HANMI and the Chamber said that the CNMI needs at least 500,000 visitors for businesses to “break even and stop the bleeding (not for a thriving economy).” 

The resolution said the target market share includes 250K or 50% Korea market, 170K or 34% China market, and 30K or 6% Japan market. 

“The China market is important because it represented 35% of the visitor arrivals and 40% of all the hotel guests in 2017. Today, the China market represents only 3% of the visitor arrivals,” she said in the resolution. 

Deleon Guerrero said that the CNMI should also seek to establish a Taiwan market.

“The CNMI and Taiwan have a good diplomatic relationship and CNMI’s Health Network Program patients have availed of Taiwan’s advanced medical services. The CNMI should further develop a robust tourism relationship with Taiwan,” she added. 

As KUAM reported, CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios has pivoted away from the China tourism market in favor of military developments. In a recent op-ed, he challenged the “China or bust” narrative he said was being pushed  by industry leaders and the media.