Two proposals to bring in more tourists

By HERMAN C. CABRERA, AIA
Special to the Saipan Tribune

Your Freefire topic entitled “What should the CNMI do to attract more tourists?” is of paramount importance to the CNMI’s slumping economy. It compels me to submit two essential proposals that I have been working on for years, hoping for the government and the island community to support them. Due to limited time, I have decided to just submit the project proposals for the two: a proposed cable car from Sugar King Park up to Mount Tapochau and a proposed Bird Island Preservatory Center. These are part of the eco-tourism programs that are attractive, adventurous, and beneficial for both the CNMI and the tourists.

BIRD ISLAND PRESERVATORY

In the past 20 years, the Island of Saipan has seen its population quadrupled from just 15,000 to approximately 60,000 as of January, 1999. Of this figure, approximately 18,500 belong to the Chamorro race. Another 4,500 are of the Carolinian race or descent. The rest account for Filipino, Chinese and Thai nonresident workers, although there are also workers and businessmen from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Nepal and the mainland United States. More families and individuals are expected to migrate to Saipan in search for jobs or simply good living. With this influx of people of many different nationalities, many of whom have already taken up permanent residencies or are planning to live here indefinitely, the original Chamorro and Carolinian natives would be overshadowed and eventually absorbed and dominated by people of different nationalities.

Aside from this hypothetical projection, Saipan has actually been introduced since the end of World War II to American living. Over the past 50 years, the native Chamorros and Carolinians have been gradually Westernized through schooling and government by the American people. In fact, we now belong to the American family, and almost 100 percent of us are U.S. citizens! Our official language is English, and we now eat and enjoy a lot of Western food such as hotdogs, hamburgers, spaghettis, potato salads and pizzas. We read, speak and write English every day. We no longer build houses with wooden or plant materials with thatched roofs. Instead, we now build concrete and steel-framed houses and buildings. We no longer ride on carts drawn by oxen or cattle. Instead, we drive Fords, Toyotas and Hyundais. Canoes and sailboats, powered by oars and wind, which used to prowl our lagoon waters, have now been replaced by outboard and powerful inboard motorboats cruising at alarming speeds. And as for the Carolinians, loin clothes have practically been forgotten!

This proposed project is a bold attempt to protect, preserve, promote and exhibit the ancient Chamorro and Carolinian cultures and some of their more outstanding and important features and traditions before they completely disappear or become forgotten. In line with these, a bird sanctuary and a viable strategic location for the preservation and conservation of native wildlife will be provided, reserved, promoted and developed to protect ocean and terrestrial birds, sea turtles, coconut crabs, fruit bats, land crabs, deer, etc.

In an attempt to preserve the original and native fauna and flora of Saipan for future generations to see, enjoy and appreciate just as we now do, the concept of eco-tourism and its actual application will become the dominant feature of this project. The term “preservatory,” which I coined, comes from two words, namely preservation and observatory, thus emphasizing the intent, goal and objective of this project which is to protect, preserve and promote the Chamorro and Carolinian cultures, their historical beginnings, their roots and origin, as well as to protect and preserve the wild fauna and flora of Saipan so that they can flourish in perpetuity for future generations to see, study, enjoy and appreciate. An observatory will also be constructed in the area adjoining the Bird Island so that visitors can watch and marvel at all sorts of marine life, including the hundreds of species and kinds of oceans and reefs fishes of the Marianas. Giant clams, lots of varieties of corals, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, spiny lobsters, squid, octopus, starfish, sea weeds of various kinds, sea anemones, etc., will be readily visible from an enclosed area similar to viewing a huge aquarium teeming with sea life! In addition, an attractive, highly visible war memorial commemorating the great war of the Pacific Islands (World War II) will be erected. A narrated history of this very significant war will be played by taped during intermittent hours. This preservatory will prove to be a most marvelous, amazing, fascinating and exciting place to be!

TOP OF THE WORLD

Saipan is rich in spectacular natural beauty and historical landmarks. A trip to Saipan would not be complete without a visit to the pristine Mount Tapochau, the highest point on Saipan, which offers a 360-degree view of the island. Mt. Tapochau, dominates the topographical composition of Saipan. The mountain is visible from all areas of the island, and it is evident that this scenic treasure can be developed as one of the “must see” tours for the many tourists who flock to the shores of Saipan every year.

Travel agents located on Saipan, must deliver sources of revenue for their home office in Japan or Korea, and the constant efforts of agents to create additional sources of income is never-ending. Every day that the tourist simply relaxes on the beach, or shops individually; the agent has no opportunity to earn the commissions they need.

With this in mind, we find that the Cable Car and destination package “Top of the World” fits perfectly into both the needs of the tourist, who is looking for a quality experience, and to the needs of the agent, who needs commission revenue. The combination of these two attributes, will make the Cable Car operation a success for all concerned: H&M Enterprises as the owner of the Cable Car System, the CNMI government, the CNMI community by providing many job opportunities, the tourist, and the travel agents. It’s a win—win—win scenario for all involved.

We sought manufacturers who have a proven record in building systems throughout the world. It was imperative that the cable car supplier be one with a high reputation and an international outlook, be one with proven support capabilities and be the most reliable system available.

The Doppelmayr Company is exactly that (www.doppelmayr.com). After initial consultation with Doppelmayr, an engineering team was sent twice to Saipan over the past seven years to study our proposed system. After quite exhaustive analysis, a preliminary design has been provided as a basis.

After careful review of estimated tourist traffic (referred to as Pax), it was decided to build a system that would be capable of handling 720 Pax per hour (720/PPH). This means that we will be able to accommodate four buses with 40 tourists each bus within 15 minutes plus reserve for other people or six buses within 20 minutes. Although this may appear to be quite large, we are confident that our initial low estimated usage rate of 50 percent will in fact be exceeded quite rapidly, thus we elected to design a 720/PPH system, thereby eliminating the very costly procedure of re-erecting another parallel system to handle the real load factors we expect to achieve in the near future.

The system will consist of 32 8-Pax gondolas. The rate of ascent can be adjustable based on load utilization. System will be outfitted with a “compacted” rope versus a “normal” rope, which ensures thrice the “life”. Furthermore, a spare gearbox on site to simply switch around for inspection, bearing replacement, etc. will be installed. This state-of-the-art system has a reputation for tourists and tour operators that the cable car is almost always operational and sellable.

The “Top-of-the-World” Cable Car System as proposed would be similar to the system in Caracas, Venezuela.

The project’s promoters have been working on the “Top of the World” project since 1995. The system is completely engineered and the rights of way to the top of Mt. Tapochau have been identified and secured. Total project cost is $7.49 million.

(Herman B. Cabrera is the president of architectural, planning and construction company Herman B. Cabrera & Associates.)