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Fitial praises the ‘mastermind’ behind charter flights to Rota
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Posted on May 07 2008
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday welcomed to the Governor’s Office Makoto Yashiro, general manager of Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd. Overseas Department and the “mastermind” behind the successful charter flights to Rota.
“I am very pleased to recognize Mr. Makoto’s vital role in developing Rota’s eco-tourism market with new charter flights from Japan. I thank him and look forward to the project’s continuing success. I believe this new development is of great benefit to the people of Rota and to incoming visitors from Japan,” said the islands’ chief executive.
Fitial also presented Yashiro with a plaque of appreciation for his untiring effort and dedication to bringing in 40 charter flights to the Commonwealth’s southernmost island.
Yashiro was accompanied to Capital Hill by Pacific Development Inc. president Yoichi Matsumura and Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio. KNT is the mother company of PDI.
Yashiro and Matsumura thanked the governor for his support for the Rota charter flight and volunteered that all passengers of the April 26 and 29 and May 3 charter flights shared their desire to return and enjoy Rota’s natural beauty.
Matsumura earlier thanked the contributions made by Yashiro. “He has entered a two-year contract to support this project with Continental Airlines. He is very happy the Rota charter project is progressing very well.”
After the three Rota charters this past Golden Week, Rota will welcome 37 more this June, July, August this year and until April 2009.
The Rota charter flight are expected to bring in some 8,000 tourists to Rota in about a year. KNT has chartered Continental Airlines to bring in the Rota charter flights. The airline is using a 155-seat Boeing 737 aircraft to service the island.
“As excited as we are with the first three flights we will continue to work with the people of Rota, Mayor Joseph S. Inos, and the Marianas Visitors Authority in promoting ‘Nature Treasure Island’ Rota and the rest of the CNMI,” added Matsumura.
