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MVA gets free office in Manila
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Posted on Feb 24 2006
For one year, the Marianas Visitors Authority will have a marketing office in Manila free of charge, courtesy of Pacific Telecom Inc.
MVA marketing manager Wayne Pangelinan said PTI had volunteered to open the office and shoulder its operational expenses for one year. After such time, MVA can choose whether to continue operating the office or not.
This arrangement, according to Pangelinan, was approved by the MVA board in a meeting last year.
Pangelinan said MVA will not spend for the Manila office unless for programs that are approved by the agency.
“The only funding that comes from us is for any marketing programs that we approve,” he said.
Pangelinan said MVA feels positive about the Manila market, given the three direct flights a week between the country and Saipan.
“The potential is there. Travel agents are very interested in developing group tours. Positive signs are shown,” he said.
Likewise, he said that Transpacific, the PTI group handling the office, “is very knowledgeable in tourism marketing.”
He said the group is particularly familiar with Micronesian destinations, having marketed Palau and other places in the region.
Pangelinan said the Manila office targets expatriates and nurses who take the NCLEX on Saipan.
He said the Manila office is looking at marketing the CNMI to friends and relatives of nonresident workers.
But this he said would only take place if the government eases up the visa processing.
“If the process becomes less stringent, that can be done,” he said.
The new MVA office is located on the ground floor of the SGV II Building on Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The office is situated in the same vicinity where Continental’s GSA operates.
Present during the office’s opening ceremony were MVA board member J.M. Guererro and Pangelinan. (Liberty Dones)
