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HANMI hotel occupancy at 66% in September
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported a 66.15% average occupancy rate among its 11 member-hotels in September 2019. The figure reflects a 15% decrease for HANMI hotels compared to September 2018.
A total of 48,607 of 73,484 available room nights sold during the month, compared to 58,321 of 71,790 available room night sold last September, a reduction of 16.7%. Average room rates continued to dip at $138.79 compared to $141.96 last September.
“Essentially, average hotel occupancy in September was back to 2012 levels, when the tourism industry and the Marianas economy was very [weak],” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “What we are seeing now is a series of converging circumstances causing fewer arrivals from our major source markets.”
These factors include the trade war between China and the U.S., the devaluation of the yuan, protests in Hong Kong, dampening of the Korea economy, cessation of Russian visitor from discretionary parole authority, and reduction or closure of Marianas Visitors Authority marketing offices due to lack of funding.
“Some of these factors are outside our control, some can be addressed locally,” Cavanagh added. “One of the best actions the Marianas can take to stem the bleeding and reboot revenue generation for the government is to properly fund the marketing programs of the MVA and not lose long-term investors like Fiesta Resort & Spa [Saipan] and Hyatt Regency Saipan, whose public land leases are about to expire. This, coupled with the anticipated start of direct flights from Japan this year, will help slow the drop in government and private sector revenue.”
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 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. (PR)
