Northern Mariana Islands business travel guide

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Abound with nature and WW2 history

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

D

escribed as an easy warm-weather escape northeast of Guam by Visit The USA, the Northern Mariana Islands are a dazzling group of 15 landmasses in the Philippine Sea. Now ran as US Commonwealth (with Donald Trump technically the destination’s Head of State), the Marianas are part of a chain of volcanic mountain peaks and uplifted coral reefs, making for spectacular scenery both above and below sea level.

Although there are 15 islands, only six are inhabited, the three major population centres being Saipan (the capital city), Tinian and Rota. The island of 2 | Asia Outlook issue 41

A small group of islands sat thousands of miles away from its administrative home in the US, the Marianas offer a warm-weather escape with plenty of nature and history to explore Writer: Tom Wadlow Project Manager:Matt Cole-Wilkin Pagan was inhabited until 1981, when a severe volcanic eruption forced the evacuation of its residents.

Besides Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands’ nearest neighbours are the Bonin Islands to the north and the Federated States of Micronesia to the south.

As well as picturesque scenery, pristine beaches and charming local hosts, consistent yearly temperatures ranging between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius make for a comfortable stay all year round, although the southern islands are prone to heavy rainfall.

Those interested in history will also not leave disappointed, with many preserved Second World War buildings and outposts in easy reach.

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NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

The Business End

AROUND 90 PERCENT of citizens live in urban areas, the remaining 10 percent living rurally relying primarily on subsistence farming to supplement their cash incomes. Taro, cassava, yams, breadfruit, vegetables and bananas are commonly grown.

Investors from South Korea, China and the Philippines have helped industrialise parts of the economy, including the garment-making sector which has now expanded to become a major revenue generator.

Tourism, however, is the principal economic activity. According to the latest statistics from the Marinas Visitors Authority, the 2018 financial year saw more than 607,000 arrivals, with 4 | Asia Outlook issue 41

South Koreans arriving in the biggest numbers (236,577).

Other important tourist arrivals came from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Guam, the US and Russia.

These figures actually represent a slight decrease on inbound tourists from 2017, although 2018 still marked the fifth busiest year in Marianas history, the record being 726,690 in 1997.

A major reason behind the slight drop was the cessation of direct flights to and from Japan in May 2018, a move which saw a 25 percent reduction in Japanese tourist arrivals. However, it is very much the objective of associations such as the Marianas Visitors Authority to revive these routes.

FACTS & FIGURES Capital: Languages:

Saipan English, Chamorro, Carolinian Area: 463.6 km2 Population (2017): 55,144 GDP (2016): $1.242 billion Currency: US Dollar Time zone: Chamorro Standard Time Dialling code: +1670 Internet TLD: .mp Climate: Tropical

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In Focus: Saipan SAIPAN IS THE administrative capital and largest island of the Marianas.

It was an important battleground in the Pacific campaign of the Second World War, where Allied forces overcame the defending Japanese forces between June and July 1944. It was an important victory, for it left the US within bombing range of the Japanese archipelago and lead to the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister, Hideki Tojo.

Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff are important memorial sites related to the battle, for it was here where thousands of Japanese civilians jumped to their deaths in desperate attempts to escape the fighting.

The Marianas has been administered by the US since the end of the conflict, becoming a US commonwealth in 1978.

Saipan itself is 23 kilometres long and eight kilometres wide, the most prime beaches found on the western

and southern coastlines, with mountainous and rugged coastal stretches on the north and east sides.

Outdoor activities are a must for visitors to Saipan, the island offering tremendous diving opportunities as well as beautiful trekking trails to the likes of The Forbidden Island.

There are also five golf courses, one designed by the well-known golfing figure Greg Norman.

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NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

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The Marianas Visitors Authority THE MARIANAS VISITORS Authority was established in 1976, mandated to promote and develop the Northern Mariana Islands as a premier destination of choice for visitors from all over the world, at the same time providing a maximum quality of life for our people.

“We nurture and encourage cultural interchange and environmental sensitivity for visitors’ enjoyment and for the local community,” comments Priscilla Iakopo, the organisation’s Managing Director.

Here, Iakopo answers our questions on the developing tourism scene in the country and the future goals of the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Asia Outlook (AsO): Since inception, how has the Marianas Visitors Authority developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

including but not limited to Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Russia.

Through effective marketing strategies, we have garnered a great number of arrivals from these core target markets. Furthermore, we are putting effort into targeting other markets around the world to seek opportunity on expanding the awareness of the Marianas destination.

Priscilla Iakopo (PI): One of the main objectives for the Marianas Visitors Authority is attracting high-yield segments from core target markets

AsO: How would you say the Marianas has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are

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NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

PI: The Marianas has effectively executed on properly guiding and assisting travellers to the Marianas by working closely with source travel partners from emerging markets.

AsO: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit the Marianas?

PI: The Marianas is a perfect getaway destination with crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, rich history, beautiful nature, and year-round warm weather for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities, world-class diving and golfing. There is also international shopping, a wide range of ethnic restaurants, and a wide variety of international and indigenous cultures.

Best of all, the people in the Marianas are very hospitable and friendly.

AsO: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend?

PI: Marianas has great historical landmarks. There are WW2 historical sites around the islands as well as indigenous cultural historical sites such as the Latte Stone Quarry in Rota, and the Taga House in Tinian. The Latte Stone Quarry in Rota is in the record

book as being the largest of its kind.

The north part of the island of Saipan has iconic sites such as Banzai Cliff where there is a great WW2 historical presence and also Grotto that is an iconic dive site that features a unique underwater cave to dive into. In addition, the Marianas offers authentic local Chamorro foods such as Chicken Kelaguen which is a lemon-based chicken mix, and Apigigi which is similar to a rice cake but made with coconut. There are also different varieties of ethnic cuisines that can be easily found around the whole destination.

PI: The growing trend here in the Marianas is diving. We have been seeing increased numbers of divers visit. We also currently have an Ocean Ambassador that represents the Marianas, a famous Taiwanese celebrity by the name of Yorko Summer. Through projects with Summer, we have been able to further expose and promote diving in the Marianas to all markets with magnificent videos and astonishing photos of our Marianas dive sites.

AsO: What are the best ways of getting around the islands?

PI: We currently have six ongoing hotel projects here in the Marianas (five in Saipan and one in Tinian). Through this we will have more available hotel rooms that will give us a leverage into having increased numbers of visitors for the upcoming years once constructions are completed. This will also open doors to foreign investors to consider the Marianas as a prime destination to invest.

PI: The best way of getting around the island is by car and tour buses offered by tour companies. Rent-a-car use has been rising in the past several years – it has been a trend taking iconic photos around the island driving convertible Mustangs and Camaros. The Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority also launched a fixed-route transit service in 2017. This service is also available to tourists.

AsO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in the Marianas at present?

AsO: How do you see the Marianas developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years?

AsO: Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that you wish to highlight?

PI: Reviving the Japanese market is one of our main objectives as it was once the top market in the Marianas.

We are working closely with Japanese travel partners with a view to having direct flights between our two countries. In addition, the Marianas Visitors Authority is working on promoting ecotourism and sports tourism.

AsO: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in the Marianas?

PI: Very optimistic. With the growing numbers of foreign investors and interest from travellers around the world, we are confident about the future of the tourism industry in the Marianas. The Marianas Visitors Authority continues to work and adapt to the ever-changing travel trends.

8 | Asia Outlook issue 41

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WHERE ADVENTURE BEGINS

reservations@skydivesaipan.com PHONE +1 (670) 488-8888

www.skydive-international.com

The opportunity of a lifetime to travel back to the “Golden Age of Aviation”!

Fl y

wit

h R a l p h ie . .

PHONE +1 (670) 488-8888

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reservations@waco-adventures.com

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www.skydive-international.com/biplane/

Asia Outlook issue 41 | 9

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Outlook Recommends “Once you’re on the islands of this US commonwealth, the only difficult decision you’ll have to make is whether to sunbathe on a beautiful beach, try your luck at a casino, play golf with dazzling views of the Philippine Sea or go scuba diving in a World War II shipwreck” – Visit The USA

OU TDO O R AC T IV IT I E S

ACCO M M O DAT I ON

FOOD AND D RI NK

Kensington Hotel Saipain Zen Teppanyaki Restaurant Saipan Country House Restaurant Himawari Hotel

Giovanni’s Umibouzu

Skydive Saipan Starting at $299, Skydive Saipan offers the chance to freefall over the beautiful Mariana Islands from 14,000 feet, its highly experienced instructors ensuring a safe experience that you will never forget. Available to people aged 18 to 65, the experience will involve around a minute’s freefall and five minutes of peaceful flying once the parachute is deployed at 5,500 feet.

TRAV EL

Holiday Saipan Hotel Islander Rent-a-car

Marianas Trekking Green Flash Dive 10 | Asia Outlook issue 41

Star Marianas Air Hyatt Regency Saipan

Hertz

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A ISL ND

Serving The Marianas & Guam for 35 years. A ride with us is a PLUS

Branches: Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Guam Hotline: 670 234-8233 | Email: islander@pticom.com

•C AR •A

RENT ER

www.islanderrentacar.com

HIMAWARI HOTEL / RESTAURANT STORE / BAKERY The hotel is located in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.

This new hotel was introduced in June 2006. Garapan located in the central district of Saipan , within walking distance of shopping and the beach, restaurants to the city, is very convenient. Garapan district located in a residential area, the eastern part of the most quiet, good security.

Phone: +1 (670) 233-1530 Email : hotel@himawari-saipan.com

himawari-saipan.com

Tel 1(670) 233-3337/8 master@holidaysaipan.com www.holidaysaipn.com

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NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Transport Links SAIPAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is the major air transit hub of the Marianas.

Flying to cities in South Korea, China, Guam and the Philippines, as well as Hong Kong, several major airlines operate out of the airport, including Delta Air Lines, Asiana Airlines, United Airlines, China Eastern, Jeju Air, Sichuan Airlines, Jin Air and PAL Express.

From here visitors can also pick up a rental car, an increasingly popular mode of navigating the main island.

Companies operating out of Saipan International Airport include Avis, Budget Rent A Car, Alamo, Islander Rent a Car, Microl and Hertz.

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Tinian International Airport is a smaller operation, handling traffic from inter-island journeys from Saipan, Rota and Guam. Aircraft landing here are single engine, able to carry up to nine passengers at a time.

Benjamin Taisacan Manglona International Airport (Rota) is the third airport in the Marianas, again serving inter-island routes between Saipan and Guam. It can handle slightly larger aircraft than Tinian, the ATR 42 able to carry up to 30 passengers. Airlines operating here include Cape Air, Star Marianas and Arctic Circle.

Another way of navigating the islands is to join a bus tour.

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Landmark Attractions FORBIDDEN ISLAND

MOUNT CARMEL CATHEDRAL

“A craggy outcrop jutting out from the island’s coastline, Forbidden Island remains one of Saipan’s wildest attractions.

You’ll need a decent off-road vehicle to access the trail leading to the rock formation. The trail itself is a short but somewhat tricky hike down. Make sure you wear sturdy footwear for the steep walk and bring plenty of food and drinks. The water around the rock makes for excellent snorkelling, although the current can be quite strong” – Inspirock

“The Catholic Cathedral of Mount Carmel is located on the beach road. It was built during Spanish rule and destroyed during World War II. The white building we see now is the occasional prayer time that was rebuilt later. It stays for a short time. It is infected by the attitude and devotion of foreigners to belief” – Trip.com

SUGAR KING PARK “Sugar King Park has beautiful moss covered trees, picnic tables and Japanese shrines. One of the trains that carried the sugarcane around the island is permanently parked at the front of the park. You will also find a large statue of the Japanese sugar king himself, Haruji Matsue” – Saipan Go

HOUSE OF TAGA “According to legend, Taga will survive as long as at least one of the stone ‘ latte’ of his home remains standing. The House of Taga is located near San Jose Village, on the island of Tinian, United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It is thought that earthquakes felled most of the stone pillars and today only one of the original twelve latte remains vertical” – ancient-origins.net

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Business Travel Guides joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 676 jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 668 krisha.canlas@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 682 matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1603 959 669 w w w. a s i a o u t l o o k m a g . c o m