11 more groups back destination enhancement initiative

Support for the Public Private Partnership initiative of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers keeps pouring in, with 11 more groups signing up with the destination enhancement campaign.

Marianas Racing Association, Beach Road Tourism Development, Inc., TanHoldings/Tan Siu Lin Foundation, P&A Corp., Kanoa Football Club, Bibong Corp., Loco & Taco Dining Bar, Divewish, Tasi & the Ali’is, and International Roller Skates have agreed to adopt sites, while the Marianas Association of Filipino Engineers and Architects have committed to provide consulting services for PPP’s construction projects.

GCEA co-chairs Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Jerry Tan welcomed the new PPP initiative supporters during the signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding last week at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.

“Lt. Gov. [Arnold] Palacios and I are grateful for the diverse array of partners from all over the Commonwealth, ranging from the government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations who truly believe in working together to improve our island community. Diversity is our strength here in the Marianas, and this collaboration with these strong partners will help us improve our islands’ image as a world-class destination in the Pacific,” Torres said.

The Marianas Motocross Park is expected to add to the growing list of must-visit sites in the CNMI once the facility is up and running at the old CowTown Raceway. MRA, which is reviving motocross after a hiatus of more than 10 years, has started the clearing work at the old CowTown Raceway to get ready for the construction of the Marianas Motocross Park and eventually host local and international races.

“Marketing the CNMI as a world-class destination is the mindset that is very much alive. The Public Private Partnership is yet another component toward achieving this objective. We have what the tourists want so let us just keep up the many sites on our islands to a level that is both acceptable to us and more so to a standard that is satisfactory to our visitors,” said MRA president Steve Sablan.

The Grotto is another key destination in the Commonwealth and Bibong Corp., Loco & Taco Dining Bar, Divewish, Tasi & the Ali’is, and International Roller Skates are teaming up to take care of one of the most visited sites on the islands.

Meanwhile, the Oleai Sports Complex, the main hub for sports, health, and wellness activities in the CNMI, has been adopted by the TSL Foundation. Improvement projects at the facility are ongoing and a must, as the Commonwealth prepares for the hosting of the 2022 Pacific Mini Games.

The Kanoa Football Club is the fourth sports organization to step up and join the PPP initiative, as it will work with Beach Road Tourism Development, Inc. for the upkeep of the highway medians in Garapan.

Up north, P&A Corp. has decided to take charge in the maintenance of the Korean Peace Memorial, one of the many sites on island that commemorate World War II history.

With the 11 more organizations throwing their support to the destination initiative, the campaign now has 32 partners adopting 21 sites. (PR)