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MVA’s exit survey ongoing; 2,200 surveyed so far
The Marianas Visitors Authority’s exit survey for tourists is still ongoing, according to MVA deputy managing director Judy Torres. The exit survey will provide data on the economic impact of tourism on the CNMI.
Torres said the company contracted to do the survey, Guam-based Market Research and Development, Inc., is doing the survey at the Francisco C. Ada International Airport.
About 2,200 have been surveyed as of April 13. Torres said their goal is to survey at least 3,500 tourists.
“Our goal is to capture tourism information on what they did here on the CNMI such as their satisfaction ratings and expenditure by the end of this fiscal year,” Torres said.
The exit survey will show demographic data such age groups coming in, satisfaction, prices, expenditure, and other relevant information. There are about 49 questions on the survey—all multiple choice.
Torres said the first set is done, covering the period from October last year to January 2015. The second set is done as well but still needs to be reviewed before any information is released.
Market Research uses five to eight employees to survey tourists at the airport. The contract ends on Sep. 30 of this year and MVA has the option to renew.
Torres said they are doing the survey using iPads and in four different languages.
The survey will also provide MVA qualitative information on visitors, a more in-depth data highly needed for the tourism industry. Surveys weren’t done in 2012 and 2013 due to limited funding.
With this new survey nearly finished, updated in-depth information of the CNMI’s tourists will be available to the public and stakeholders.
“The survey is really important because tourism is our main source of income and getting the results from tourists is necessary and important for stakeholders in the CNMI,” said Torres.
