Sablan reelected HANMI president

Ron Sablan, incumbent president of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, was chosen again to lead HANMI into the new millennium during an election held recently.

“We’re looking toward the future by utilizing past experience,” said Sablan, who is serving the final year of his second two-year term, as he expressed confidence that the composition of the new HANMI officers will help boost the industry. “Two of our new officers have served as HANMI (p)residents in the past. . . .With this type of experience, and fresh ideas from a vibrant new officer, we expect this group to effectively advance HANMI’s interests, which is particularly important now during this critical period of the CNMI’s economy.”

Joining Sablan, general manager of the Pacific Gardenia Hotel, are Hyatt Regency’s Mustafa Issa, senior vice president; PIC’s Wendy Lee-Sang, vice president; Aqua Resort’s Mark Murai, vice president; Nikko Hotel’s Yoshitsugu Abe, treasurer; and Chalan Kanoa Beach Club’s Hideo Sugiyama, secretary.

“We have good leadership,” said Sablan. “This group will face the facts of our industry and will, with the rest of our HANMI members, continue the efforts of the (a)ssociation by working coherently with the government to improve the present situation.” Sablan said, adding that the new board will serve an array of interests related to the hotel industry, noting that it is comprised of a mix of small-, medium-, and large-sized hotels.

Sablan said that one of HANMI’s primary concerns is to cooperate with other tourismrelated business and organizations to boost visitor arrivals in the Northern Marianas.

“We have excellent accommodations in the Commonwealth. We need increased airline capacity to Saipan in order for us to fill more rooms.”

In the coming year, the organization plans to raise the level of service provided by HANMI-member hotels through training and education of both local and guest employees. Another goal is to work with the local government to make the CNMI more attractive to travelers, and build on its reputation as a vacation hub at par with other premier international destinations.

Founded in 1983, HANMI is a professional organization composed of 20 leading hotels representing over 3,400 rooms in the CNMI. The purpose of the association is to support and encourage cooperation among member hotels by providing a forum for sharing ideas on issues of common concern, as well as promote HANMI’s code of ethics and standards.