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Shibahata is new PIC GM
Yoshihito Shibahata
Yoshihito Shibahata has effectively been appointed the new general manager of Pacific Islands Club Saipan, taking over the role of former PIC GM Hiro Sugie last Nov. 1.
After serving as a general manager of PIC Saipan since 2011, Sugie would be moving to Hotel Nikko Guam, where he will also be the GM.
Hotel Nikko Guam is under the same management company of PIC Saipan, known as Ken Corp.
Shibahata, who goes by the name Yoshi, was born and raised in Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan before moving to the U.S. to study at the age of 15.
Shibahata graduated from the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, major in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Prior to being assistant general manager of Hotel Nikko Guam, where he worked before moving to PIC Saipan, Shibahata used to be Hilton Guam Resort and Spa assistant GM and Hyatt Regency Guam’s director of rooms.
Shibahata plans to sustain Sugie’s efforts once he takes over PIC’s 308 rooms, restaurants and bars, water park, sports, and recreation areas.
“My job is to carry on Sugie’s hard work. My job is to make [PIC Saipan] better and not be afraid to make any changes. I don’t want to take too much risks, but I have to take a small amount of risk to make it better,” said Shibahata. “This will be good [for Saipan] because Saipan’s tourism is growing. It is increasing, coming from Asia.”
Shibahata looks forward to working with the Saipan community through PIC.
“I plan to keep the traditions of the local culture,” he said. “I look forward to working with the local people respectfully. I want to make sure I’m there not just for my team, but also as a people’s hotel; I plan to make PIC a people’s favorite.”
Sugie would be moving to Hotel Nikko Guam, also under Ken Corp., which is the management company of PIC Saipan.
E-Land Group, a Korean conglomerate based in Seoul, owns Coral Ocean Point, PIC Saipan, and the Kensington Hotel.
Ken Corp. Ltd., a Japanese company based in Tokyo, owns PIC Guam, Nikko, Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort, Hilton Guam Resort and Spa, and Hyatt Regency Guam.
