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HANMI occupancy at 81 pct. in September
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported 81.24 percent average occupancy rate among 11-member hotels in September 2018.
The figure reflects a 10-percent decrease compared to September 2017.
However, average room rates were higher than last year at $141.96 compared to $132.52 last September. The figure is also the highest September average room rate ever recorded by HANMI.
A total of 58,321 of 71,790 available room nights sold in September 2018, compared to 62,475 of 69,550 available room nights sold over the same period last year.
September 2018 marked the first month that the now closed Mariana Resort & Spa was not included among averaged hotels, marking a loss of 124 hotel rooms.
“As an association and major partners of Commonwealth tourism economy, we are saddened at the closure of Mariana Resort & Spa,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “Not only has the Commonwealth lost one of its oldest investors, but also the job opportunities and tax revenue that Mariana Resort provided. We are still hoping that the government can see its way in the long-term interest of the Commonwealth, to more strategic decisions that will keep hotels open and running. We thank Gov. [Ralph DLG] Torres for recently giving us the opportunity to dialogue with him on these and other matters. Occupancy is down, but room rates are the highest ever. Time is ticking for several hotels with expiring public land leases, and we have been asking for the opportunity to negotiate renewals.”
HANMI was established in 1985 as a professional forum for the hospitality industry of the Marianas. HANMI also makes regular charitable donations to support non-profit organizations and tourism-related government projects.
Hotels included in HANMI’s monthly statistical reports are Aqua Resort Club, Aquarius Beach Tower, Century Hotel, GrandVrio Resort Saipan, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kanoa Resort Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Saipan World Resort, and Pacific Islands Club Saipan. (PR)
