CNMI needs upgraded and new hotels targeting high-end market

A nominee to the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors said yesterday the CNMI needs to improve its tourism infrastructure, including upgrading hotels and building five-star hotels that target high-end tourist markets.

Kwang Joong Kim, whose name was resubmitted to the Senate by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial last month, presented his credentials and answered questions from members of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations during a public hearing on his nomination yesterday morning.

“I humbly accept if the Senate confirms me,” Kim, president of Laolao Bay Golf Resort, later told Saipan Tribune.

He said the Legislature’s approval of an amendment to law governing MVA just so a Korean businessman like him could also serve on the MVA board is “humbling,” and vowed to work harder when confirmed by the Senate.

Sen. Frank Cruz (R-Tinian), EAGI Committee chair, said the panel expects to complete its report on the nomination soon so that the full Senate could act on his appointment before the end of the year.

Among those who testified in favor of his nomination were House minority leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan), MVA board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce, Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan, and public safety commissioner Ray Mafnas. They asked the Senate to confirm Kim’s nomination. Dr. Jon Joyner, the governor’s senior policy advisor, presented Kim to the Senate panel.

Kim, who has 25 years experience in tourism and airline business, said the CNMI needs to improve its tourism infrastructure including adding more tourist sites, upgrading existing hotels and building new ones that will cater to high-end tourist market.

“Hotels are out-of-date, they are old facilities. Tourists have high expectations. They don’t want to stay in a hotel room that’s old,” he said.

Kim said the CNMI also needs efficient and affordable public transportation.

He said he will work harder to bring in more tourists to the CNMI, whose only industry is tourism.

When asked whether he thinks having casinos on Saipan will boost the CNMI economy, he said “yes” cautiously.

“It can bring more tourists. Because we already have tourists from China, Korea, and Japan, the main gambling markets in the world,” he said. The Senate has yet to act on a House bill legalizing casino gambling on Saipan.

Kim said he will also be working harder to further develop the CNMI as a golf destination in this part of the Pacific.

“Saipan is becoming famous as golf tourism area. Because Saipan has perfect weather, beautiful golf courses but only limited number of golf courses,” he said, referring to Kingfisher Golf Club, Coral Ocean Point, Marianas Resort and Country Club, and Laolao Bay Golf Resort.

The Senate previously rejected Kim’s nomination to the MVA board because he is not a U.S. citizen and was not eligible for the position. But a new law signed in September amended that requirement, allowing the nomination of a CNMI resident but is not a U.S. citizen or national. Kim is a Korean citizen.