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HANMI occupancy up 2 percent in January 2016
Record-breaking average room rates
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported a 97.12-percent occupancy among 11 member hotels for January 2017, a 2-percent Increase compared to January 2016.
Average room rates were $174.44 during the month, compared to $161.85 last January. This is a new record for HANMI average room rates, breaking the record of $172.53 set in August 1997.
A total of 68,820 of 71,887 available room nights sold in January 2017, compared to 68,132 of 71,579 available room nights sold over the same period last year.
“Since HANMI started tracking our membership average room rates in 1992, January 2017 is now a record high, another sign that tourism has recovered,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “To sustain the industry and its continued growth, however, we need to stabilize the labor force situation. This is most critical, particularly with hundreds of new hotel rooms opening in the Marianas in the year ahead.
“Second is improving the quality of our product. …We believe in and are committed to improving our room product,” added Cavanagh. “In order to do so, we must address the lease extension situation that our larger hotels are facing. To commit millions of dollars, especially after a decade of low tourism numbers, will take more than the less than five years that a couple of our members are facing. [Third] is resolving the immigration waiting period for arriving passengers at the airport. HANMI continues to work closely with members of the Strategic Economic Development Council to resolve these issues.”
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands was established in 1985. For more information or to request a membership application, visit www.saipanhotels.org. (HANMI)
