CNMI makes list of ‘Big-Time Destinations’

Travel, food, and drink website Thrillist included the CNMI in their “14 Tiny Countries that are Big-Time Destinations” article posted on their website www.thrillist.com.

The article was published last Aug. 12, 2016. The rest of the countries that made the list are Slovakia, Singapore, Costa Rica, Scotland, Nepal, Dominican Republic, Monaco, Vanuatu, Rwanda, South Korea, Mongolia, Belgium, and El Salvador. The CNMI made it to the list despite not being a country. It’s a commonwealth in poltical union with the U.S.

The website described the CNMI as, “An island paradise with vodka-clear ocean waters and white sandy beaches.”

Marianas Visitors Authority’s board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce expressed how proud she was to see that the CNMI was gaining some publicity from the Internet.

“It’s always wonderful when the Northern Marianas is included on a list of great destinations, especially when it is unsolicited by us. We are the underdogs because we are tiny but obviously we are making an impression on people out there in the world because we were picked to make the list,” said Aldan-Pierce in an email to Saipan Tribune. “To be included in a list that includes Monaco, Nepal, Scotland, Mongolia—very cultured, internationally renowned places…what’s not to love about that!”

The list also described many of the CNMI’s tourist destinations. Saipan’s Grotto was described as, “A collapsed limestone cavern turned world-famous freediving and scuba diving destination.” Managaha is, “A pipsqueak islet perfect for snorkeling, swimming, parasailing, and simply relaxing on the beach.” Also beautifully mentioned was Saipan’s Forbidden Island. Tourists are invited to, “Take the steep hike down to a local favorite on Saipan, a sapphire tidal lagoon by an outcropping called the Forbidden Island—which is, point of fact, neither.”

Being board chair of the MVA, Aldan-Pierce can’t help but think about the publicity the CNMI is receving. “I wonder how many times we’ve been Googled these past 24 hours because of this,” said Aldan-Pierce.

What was also impressive for Aldan-Pierce was how the CNMI was represented in the article. “The contributor, Ms. Agnes Constante, apparently used to live here but now lives and writes from California. I love her casual, fun style of writing. In less than a thousand words, she just about covered everything that there is about us,” writes Aldan-Pierce. “Who we are, what we are, fun tidbits about our destinations, our quirky foods…she makes you want to pack your bags and come to experience us!”

Aldan-Pierce also commended Constante on her comparison of Saipan to other states in the U.S. “We are 2.5 Washington, DCs. FUN comparisons!” she wrote.

Aldan-Pierce added, “We are lucky and should be very thankful for who we are and what we have…14 beautiful, exotic islands….and just as beautiful, exotic people…”

Thrillist Media Group is part of Digital Media Company and is based in New York. Founded in 2004, it consists of a website hosting various food, drink, and travel insights.