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Banzai Cliff, Bird Island Lookout, tourist sites to be revamped
The Bird Island Lookout will be renovated as part of efforts to make the CNMI a world-class tourism destination. (IVA MAURIN)
Banzai Cliff, Bird Island Lookout, and some other major tourist spots are going to get a much needed facelift, with the Torres administration working with the Marianas Visitors Authority to revamp the sites while tourism remains suspended due to the pandemic.
Speaking at a media briefing Thursday, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said that he also met with the members of his Cabinet and rallied them to support all efforts to make the CNMI a world-class tourism destination.
“I will be making some renovation on some of the tourist sites,” the governor said.
Aside from Banzai Cliff and the Bird Island Lookout, the governor mentioned Suicide Cliff, the Last Command Post, dive spots such as Obyan and Lau Lau, as well as beach areas and walkways, as among those that will get renovated.
Earlier, when asked about why Banzai and Grotto have remained closed to the public despite Managaha being open now, Torres explained that it is because these areas will be renovated.
“We’re looking at the safety of the facility. We met with MVA, and some of the government entities…to renovate these areas. …Right now, the facilities are not up and running, and some, if not a lot, of these tourist sites need some renovations. For safety reasons, they’re not open at this point,” he said.
Renovations will range from minimal improvements such as repainting, to enhancements such as adding concrete tables, the governor added. “Every site has a different renovation or remodeling [need]. But overall, [we are] working now with different agencies to revamp our tourist sites, so that when our tourists come back, all of the sites would be in better shape than where they are at today.”
The governor is also appealing to the community to “pick up after themselves” when they visit beaches and parks. “Leave [the beaches and parks] cleaner than when you found it. Again, this is our island. We cannot expect anybody else to clean it for us. The first thing we want our tourists to see is a clean environment. Let’s please, maintain and embrace our environment.”
