MVA fortifies ties with Asiana, tour agents

In Fiscal Year 2006, the Marianas Visitors Authority produced positive results through various marketing tie-up promotions, PR activities, and campaigns showcasing the CNMI to Korean travelers. MVA recorded a 24-percent increase in arrivals attributed to MVA’s continuous efforts to market aggressively with industry partners locally and abroad.

MVA executives headed by managing director Perry John P. Tenorio and marketing manager Wayne Pangelinan, along with MVA Korea Representative Y.T. Park, were in Seoul, South Korea, for yet more promotional activity to expand the islands awareness to travel agents.

MVA made courtesy visits and conducted a Marianas workshop, speaking directly to travel agents to provide updates about the destination and the products available.

While in South Korea, they visited Asiana Airlines headquarters and met with Jong Hang Lee, executive vice president-Commercial; In Tae Hwang, vice president for International Passenger Sales; and Jae Bum Chun, senior manager for Sales Planning, to discuss the future operations of Asiana Airlines for the CNMI.

“We are thankful for your continued support of our islands and we hope to continue working together in unity. Our current arrivals from Korea have been extremely healthy and we want to assure Asiana Airlines that the MVA will continue our support to market the destination effectively,” said Tenorio.

Asiana’s Lee said that he too is very thankful for MVA’s assistance and support through the auspices of the MVA Korea Representative Office.

MVA also made courtesy visits to major travel agencies. Representatives from Hana Tour, Mode Tour and Tourmall met with MVA to discuss other opportunities to market the islands more attractively for South Korean consumers. The travel agents have representative offices on Saipan that cater to their guests and provide the highest quality of service for the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

MVA opened up discussions on whether these agencies will consider developing Rota packages for Golf and Leisure, citing the recent efforts of Rota Resort & Country Club to guarantee seats on the Continental Connection flights aboard Cape Air.

In addition, MVA asked for feedback on the satisfactory level of the visitors to the islands and what travel segments are they going after.

“Our goals are to increase our arrivals and maintain high visibility in the market. Your assistance and support is needed to ensure that both the airline and travel agents remain profitable through the product that is currently available in the market,” said Tenorio.

All agencies expressed a positive response and said they will definitely consider all opportunities and will work with MVA more cohesively to expand the islands as a preferred destination for South Korean travelers. [B][I](MVA)[/I][/B]