HANMI occupancy at 76 percent in October

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported a 75.68 percent average occupancy rate among 11 member hotels for October 2018. The figure reflects a 6-percent decrease compared to October 2017.

Hotel occupancy in the Marianas took a hit following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yutu, which passed over Saipan and Tinian on the evening of Oct. 24, 2018. In the final days of the month, the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport was closed to air traffic except outbound flights to repatriate visitors and military or relief flights.

The airport is targeted to resume regular daytime flights on Thursday, Nov. 15.

“Super Typhoon Yutu had had and will continue to have an impact on hotel occupancy until tourism is fully restored. The full impact of that effect will be seen in our November occupancy rates and hotel occupancy tax collected,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “Most critically, the major hotels of Saipan World Resort, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Coral Ocean Golf Resort, and Aquarius Towers are not taking reservations at this time as they focus on needed repairs. However, each hotel is working diligently to re-open as soon as possible. Luckily, all of our other hotels in central and northern Saipan sustained only minor damage and are fully operational. Based on a poll of major hotels last week, we estimate that about 70 to 75 percent of rooms are open. We look forward to the return of visitors and will continue, as an association and member hotels, to aid the recovery of our affected employees and the community, at large. We will overcome this, Marianas!”

Average room rates were higher than last year at $145.46 compared to $144.76 last October. A total of 54,971 of 72,634 available room nights sold in October 2018, compared to 58,862 of 71,920 available room nights sold over the same period last year.

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. (HANMI)