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TRIP sees cancellations due to COVID-19
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Posted on Dec 24 2021
The spread of the new omicron variant of COVID-19 has resulted in a “concerning” number of tourists participating in the Marianas Visitors Authority’s Travel Investment Resumption Plan have cancelled their bookings.
Although the MVA declined to cite specific numbers, MVA deputy managing director Judy Torres said the number is concerning enough that the MVA board will need to revisit TRIP “to evaluate what changes may be needed to continue to support the continued revival of tourism and job security for the community.”
When pressed on how many cancellations have there been, Torres said she could not provide that information. “This is hard to track so I am unable to provide this information,” she told Saipan Tribune.
Back in October, however, MVA had expected to generate a total of 7,794 TRIP participants through the end of the year via the South Korean travel bubble. Unfortunately, as of Dec. 16, the CNMI had only served a total of 4,834 TRIP participants from October to Dec. 16.
According to Torres’ breakdown of the 4,834 TRIP participants, the CNMI had a total of 1,983 participants in October, 2,121 in November, and 730 TRIP participants from Dec. 1 to 16.
MVA had already extended the TRIP program from December to the end of January.
“With the successful jumpstart of the Marianas tourism economy through the TRIP program, the outlook for continued gains had been positive for the new year. This includes the anticipated doubling of flights from South Korea to Saipan from three times weekly to six times weekly beginning early January,” Torres said.
In addition, Torres noted Travel Buck incentives will be reduced. “Travel Buck incentives are to be reduced in mid-December from up to $250-$500/person per island to $100/person at a flat rate. Travel Bucks, which can only be spent in the Marianas, are still necessary for the Marianas to remain competitive with competing destinations—like Guam—which are offering similar incentives but to the airlines. We plan to continue to provide PCR tests required for the passenger’s return to Korea,” she said.
