JAPAN TRAVEL ADVISORY: Saipan ‘Dangerous’

A travel advisory issued by the Japanese government has listed the Northern Marianas, especially Saipan, as a dangerous destination for Japanese tourists due to growing crimes committed on the islands.

In a travel advisory posted on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, it cautioned its citizens against traveling to the CNMI due to rampant crimes of robbery, murder, drug use, and smuggling.

There is no immediate reaction from tourism officials regarding the advisory that is expected to cause a serious blow to government efforts to boost the ailing tourism industry, the backbone of the island’s economy.

The warning has prompted members of Japan-Saipan Travel Association to hold an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss the impact of the announcement on the CNMI’s main economy largely dependent on Japan for visitors.

“Public places in the Northern Mariana Islands, especially Saipan, are unsafe,” said the advisory written in Japanese.

The foreign ministry told its Japanese travelers not leave their valuables in cars at parking areas unattended since these will be stolen. Tourists are advised to protect their valuables and other belongings from snatchers while walking around the streets of Saipan.

Japanese travelers are asked not to leave valuables in their hotel rooms when they leave due to climbing incidents of theft.

The advisory said visitors should avoid roaming around beaches at night because of a number of assault and stabbing incidents in these areas. Obyan Beach, a popular diving area for Japanese tourists, was cited as unsafe since many items left in the vehicles were reported stolen.

The website cited a number of incidents experienced by Japanese visitors when they traveled to the Northern Marianas. On the islands of Saipan and Rota, many Japanese tourists have been victims of robbery, it added.

As travelers try to withdraw money at ATM machines, their valuables left on the floor are stolen by onlookers.

Due to the increase in robbery and theft incidents, visitors are told not to leave all their important documents, valuables, credit cards and cash in one bag.

“Be careful when you go diving in Saipan because of the many reported diving-related accidents,” the travel advisory said.

The website also noted an increase in drug use in the CNMI, thus tourists are told to avoid this.

The travel advisory discouraging Japanese visitors from coming to the CNMI was issued amid efforts by the Marianas Visitors Authority to revive the slumping tourism economy.

Tourism officials have also been trying to get back the CNMI’s market share in Japan by carrying out aggressive marketing campaign since it has been badly shattered by the Asian economic recession.

MVA has always believed that Saipan will continue to be a popular destination among Japanese tourists due to its proximity to Japan, crystal clear waters and clean beaches, as well as its image as a safe destination.