MVA backs moratorium on new flights

The Marianas Visitors Authority supports the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s move to suspend new international flights to the CNMI for 60 days.

The suspension is intended to give the CNMI government enough time to look at its infrastructure whether it can handle the influx of more tourists.

According to MVA managing director Chris Concepcion, MVA “understands the position that the governor and Commonwealth Ports Authority had to take in implementing this 60-day moratorium on any new flights from new airlines to the CNMI.”

“The MVA commissioned a tourism sustainability study this year so we understand the need to have manageable and responsible growth in tourist arrivals,” he added.

MVA data from January to April show that the number of CNMI tourists so far this year total 227,945. This is a 37.3-percent increase over the same period in 2016. The numbers continue to go up.

“The economy of the CNMI is growing too fast and we need to take a break and look at the situation. That is why we need to suspend new flights,” said CPA board member Pete Reyes.

He pointed out that the CNMI is beginning to see tourists “walking on the streets, pulling their luggage, and looking for hotel accommodations.”

“The tourists are now going into areas that may not be suitable for accommodation and we don’t want that to happen,” added Reyes.

The temporary suspension is a first in CNMI tourism history. It can also serve as a learning curve for the CNMI.

“The moratorium is just one method that will allow all stakeholders to get a grip on what’s happening in the CNMI at this time. We have tremendous growth in arrivals year-over-year, and we’ve seen a proliferation of [bed-and-breakfasts], guest houses, and apartments-turned-apartelles, which are the result of having hotel room inventory maxed out almost on a monthly basis,” Concepcion said.

“The [flight suspension] may allow the hotel industry time to renovate their properties and ensure their facilities are up to date with international standards and for CPA to assess their infrastructure needs so they can plan appropriately for future expansion of the Saipan International Airport,” Concepcion added.

The current international airlines will remain in status quo.

“The MVA is glad that this will not affect any airline currently serving the CNMI, which is critical. We are aware that it may send mixed signals to airlines who may be interested in flying to the CNMI but I’m sure CPA can handle that,” Concepcion said.

Despite the suspension, MVA will continue its mission to promote the CNMI to travelers. 

“We will continue to do our job to market the CNMI to the world. The MVA is concerned with anything and everything that affects the tourism industry. With that said, it’s important that we all come together as stakeholders to ensure everyone do their part in handling what’s within their jurisdiction,” he said.

“Each stakeholder has their own responsibilities but at the end of the day we need to all come to a consensus on what’s best for the CNMI long-term. It’s highly critical that we all pitch in, work together and achieve balanced economic growth which ultimately will benefit everyone in the CNMI,” Concepcion said.