DFS hosts major Chinese tour operators

Some of the top executives of the largest tour operators in China recently visited Saipan on a “familiarization tour” organized by DFS, which the operates duty free shop, T Galleria.

Marian Aldan-Pierce, president of DFS Saipan Ltd., said the VIPS from the tour operators arrived Friday and were given a tour of the temporary casino at T Galleria.

Aldan-Pierce said the group will stay for two nights and will also be given a tour of other activities that Saipan can offer. The group leaves today.

She said the “familiarization tour” is expected to give the operators a glimpse of what Saipan can offer when it comes to tourism.

Increasing arrivals
Richard Zhou, vice president of global PRC travel industry marketing, said the purpose of inviting the big tour operators is to increase tourist arrivals on Saipan.

“We are trying to increase Saipan PRC cycle arrivals. This year, we see cycle arrival to be 220,000. By next year, we see 260,000 to 280,000. This is on a yearly basis,” Zhou said.

He said China’s tourist arrivals is now “almost the same as Korea, but will be higher in two to three years.”

“We want to make Saipan a preferred destination. Saipan is becoming well-known, but the key challenge is still room capacity,” Zhou said.

The executive said more charter flights are also being planned.

Currently, 10 charter flights from China fly to Saipan every week.

“More charters are coming in next year, three more charter flights from different cities,” Zhou said.

He added that the casino is just one of the features that Chinese tourists are looking for, and for many, the natural beauty of Saipan is its biggest draw.

Aside from its natural beauty, one key advantage of Saipan, according to Zhou, is its proximity to the mainland. Some Chinese cities are only four hours away from Saipan.

Best Sunshine
Immediately after arriving, the tour groups met with officials of DFS and Best Sunshine International Ltd.

Matthew Harkness, BSI chief operating officer, said the having the tour groups come over “means a lot.”

“What is good for Saipan is good for Best Sunshine. These operators are very important to the economy of Saipan. This means a lot to us, to give them an idea of what we have now, and an opportunity to show what we are building right across the street,” Harkness said.

He added that the visitors seem “really happy” and “appreciative” and “somewhat surprised” from what they saw, particularly some new amenities that Saipan now has.

Harkness said BSI is targeting not just China but also other source markets such as Korea and Japan, which will always be important markets.