Russian media, travel agents complete tour of NMI

With efforts to expand its reach in developing new markets, the Marianas Visitors Authority welcomed a number of travel agents and media from Russia in the month of November. The groups consisted of the TNT Vladivostok Media Broadcasting, the Asiana Khabarovsk Travel Agent FAM, and the Century Tours Moscow Travel Agent FAM.

The groups were able to explore the sites and activities of Saipan, while the media had the opportunity to also cover Tinian and Rota.

TNT is a nationwide broadcasting media that has satellite offices in major cities of Russia; a reporter and camera operator from the city of Vladivostok arrived on Saipan on Nov. 3 and started their coverage of the Marianas—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. The TNT Vladivostok representatives were sent on assignment for the tourism program entitled “Where We Were” to highlight the Marianas as a leisure destination to their viewers. The tourism program is a new program with only four months since its inception. The first coverage is to air on Dec. 4 and following shows on Tinian and Rota after the New Year. The show is at least at 15 minutes long. The exposure value for this coverage is estimated at more than $6,000.

The show’s representative, Evgeny Konovalov, comments “Although the tourism program entitled ‘Where We Were’ is fairly new, the coverage of the Marianas has been the best of all our coverage’s for the show. When we arrived, we only expected to find beautiful beaches and palm trees but were amazed at the variations of activities and characteristics of the three islands (Saipan, Tinian, and Rota). Our experience here exceeded our expectations. We have never eaten so much and that the meals were very tasty. It is difficult to choose one of the islands as a favorite since all of them have its own charm and we will never forget them. We have taken to heart the first advice from PIC’s Elly Stoilova that ‘there is magic in the islands and that when you’re here for a period of time you will want to stay.’ It is true, after being here for 10 days; we did not want to leave the Marianas because it has grown on us. We will definitely return to the Marianas since there are many reasons to do so.”

Asiana Airlines sponsored a number of travel agents from the Khabarovsk city to the island of Saipan on a familiarization tour. The travel agents were very impressed with their trip itinerary and are very excited on working on selling the Marinas packages to their clientele.

Century Tours also sponsored a familiarization tour for travel agents from Moscow to the island of Saipan. The group made time to visit the MVA Saipan Office for more information regarding the Marianas. The agents did get the chance to visit Managaha Island and were very impressed with the snorkeling and activities.

The MVA could not have done this successfully without the support and commitment from its members. Members who supported these FAMs are as follows: Asiana Airlines, Pacific Islands Club, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Koreana Tours Bureau, Rota Resort & Country Club, Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino, Century Tours, DFS Galleria, Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, Tasi Tours & Transportation, Pacific Subsea, Coffee Care, Saipan Botanical Garden, SandCastle, Saipan Sunset Cruise, Inc., AJ’s Restaurant, and the Chamolinian Cultural Village. (PR)