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FOR THOSE IN SEARCH OF AN ADVENTURE IN THE WILD
CNMI looking for a different kind of tourist
‘MVA has no grand illusion that there is going to be millions of dollars coming in. What matters now is serious interest and, if it’s going to be just few people every year, that is fantastic because it puts us on the map that the CNMI is also that type of destination.’
Pagan is one of the Northern Islands and its beauty can only be appreciated if one is ready to take on mountain trails and rugged foot paths. (Bea Cabrera)
Plans to open up the Northern Islands to the world has been in the pipeline for quite a while now even before COVID-19 but that mostly just sat on a shelf somewhere, gathering dust. Yet now that the CNMI’s entire tourism industry has come to a screeching halt, the Marianas Visitor’s Authority is dusting off that plan and is working on shifting the interest of the world to lure adventure-type tourists to see and experience the wild and unspoiled beauty of the isolated Northern Islands.
First off was an online media campaign via the YouTube channel “Deer Meat for Dinner” that is hosted by Robert Arrington. MVA noted that the recent exposure of the Northern Islands via Arrington’s channel showed that 19 videos about the Marianas generated 10 million views and has generated many inquiries.
MVA board member Gloria Cavanagh said that many of the inquiries came from people in the U.S. mainland. “We have people calling and most of them are from the mainland. These people have expressed interest and some people are even calling the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. to find out what the protocols are, as far as quarantine is concerned,” said Cavanagh. “We have had feedback from people who are actually serious about it and we are pleasantly surprised. In the event these people come here, MVA will not hesitate to assist these tourists in trying to help them to get services out there as the would have to charter to go to the Northern Islands.”
Aside from its beauty, Pagan Island also has a lot of history, as shown by a Japanese monument built during World War II. (Bea Cabrera)
A couple wrote the MVA directly about plans to visit. “My wife…and I started planning our trip to the Marianas after Robert’s first videos of his first visit to your wonderful paradise. I do not plan to hunt, but I intend to camp (away from the wild cows), go fishing, crabbing, and play some music for some of you on my guitar.”
A viewer left a comment under the “Dear Meat for Dinner” You Tube video, saying: “This second visit of Arrington to your islands is only strengthening my resolve to come visit your wonderful island paradise.”
According to Cavanagh, the tourists that they want are seasoned adventure-type travelers who would stay in a tent, are into discovering new landscapes, cultures, and don’t mind minor inconveniences. “MVA has no grand illusion that there is going to be millions of dollars coming in. What matters now is serious interest and, if it’s going to be just few people every year, that is fantastic because it puts us on the map that the CNMI is also that type of destination,” she said.
“That is going to be a small market but it’s going to be a market like [what] Palau has. …There are no plans to suddenly build a hotel [on] Pagan because these adventure-type tourists don’t want to stay in a hotel. If they do, then it would be best for them to just stay on Saipan but if it’s adventure, then the Northern Islands will be the perfect fit,” she added.
MVA managing director Priscilla Maratita Iakopo said in a press statement that her office has been contacted by a group interested in filming an educational documentary in the Northern Islands next year. “…We hope their plans will solidify. We are excited that despite the special logistical needs, the Northern Islands are starting to generate visitor demand…”
