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MVA didn’t get promised $1M
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Posted on Feb 27 2006
The Marianas Visitors Authority said yesterday that it failed to get the promised $1 million for advertising from the previous administration.
“We never received it,” said MVA board chair Marian Aldan-Pierce and MVA acting managing director Tess Castro during a meeting Monday.
As a result, the MVA said it had to use its already depleted budget for needed programs.
It cited that it had to commit $250,000 of its budget for the launching and development of the Osaka destination.
This happened when Northwest Airlines added a new flight from Osaka when Japan Airlines pulled out from the CNMI last October.
“We have committed to support them for the Osaka launch. The $1 million was to augment our advertising budget,” said Castro.
Happy children program rescued
The MVA board approved yesterday to go ahead with the annual Happy Children in Paradise summer program this year.
This program was already “sacrificed” by the MVA management from the agency’s budget this year due to belt-tightening.
Board members, however, said that removing the program would affect the image of Saipan as a destination.
Member B.K. Park said the CNMI should have consistency with its overseas marketing programs.
Happy Children in Paradise is designed to attract children tourists.
During summer, MVA gives away souvenir items including a Saipanda backpack, to children tourists aged 11 years old and below.
Meantime, despite reservations by some members, the board approved yesterday to sponsor a 42K marathon in June. The MVA is spending $25,000 for this activity.
MVA said at least 130 participants would come to Saipan for the event, which is set in June.
