MVA to tap Chinese tourists despite ban

Despite the restrictions on the entry of nationals from the People’s Republic of China, the CNMI may still be able to entice Chinese tourists to come here amid the race among Asian countries and Micronesian islands to get a slice of this emerging market.

Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry Tenorio said the Northern Marianas can still tap Chinese nationals who have already traveled to Japan, Australia and the United States.

While this number of Chinese tourists may be limited, Mr. Tenorio said MVA would like to take into consideration the immigration rules in the CNMI. “We can start small, allow it to grow and still protect the immigration,” he said.

MVA has been discussing with the labor and immigration officials the possibility of allowing Chinese tourists to come here in a move to expand its market base. In exploring such possibility, MVA is waiting for more information on the agreement entered into by some U.S. travel firms with Chinese tour groups.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association is now preparing to tap the huge tourist market in mainland China starting with a sales mission early next year.

During the three-day PATA Micronesia Chapter meeting in Saipan, tourism officials from various islands in the region discussed how to exploit the Chinese outbound market and sell the different destinations in Micronesia.

According to Sharon Hannaford, PATA Pacific Division managing director, Japan will remain the biggest market in Micronesia but it cannot ignore the Chinese market which promises to provide a huge source of visitors for the region.

The CNMI has been trying to tap the Chinese nationals but a recent ban on their entry doused efforts to take a second look at this alternative market. The labor and immigration department suspended indefinitely the issuance of entry permits to PROC citizens after Chinese officials refused to cooperate in accepting the return of its nationals deported from the Commonwealth.

MVA Board Chair Dave M. Sablan has even proposed a set of guidelines to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to allow the entry of Chinese nationals to ensure that they will return to China after their vacation in CNMI.

The beleaguered Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino is also relying on the Chinese market and officials also hope to get direct charter flights to bring the visitors from PROC into the island-municipality of Tinian.