‘AquaDuck will be a boon to public market’

AquaDuck LLC president Eddie Yokeno has this tip for everyone: Start investing in the Garapan Public Market, as its sales are about to go through the roof, thanks to his Saipan Duck Tours operations.

“I think we’re hitting the right chords in how we’re conducting our tour program. I’m envisioning that during the next year or two, the Garapan Public Market will be making between $1 million and $2 million easy a year,” said Yokeno during the grand opening of Duck Tours yesterday at the Garapan Fishing Base.

The public market and Yokeno’s Duck Tours are partnering in the first-ever amphibious tour of Saipan: the former offers tourists an hour-long land and water tour of the island’s historical sites. It then concludes with tourists partaking of snacks and drinks at the public market.

“Essentially this duck drive is a half-hour spent on a land tour and another half hour splashing in the Saipan Lagoon. When they get back, tourists get to enjoy a cold beverage made from locally grown fruits and eat local snacks,” said Yokeno.

This synergy between Duck Tours and the Garapan Public Market is prompting Yokeno to see sunny days ahead for the once-struggling market. Its own board chair, Crispin I. Deleon Guerrero, said that at one point the market only had $300 in its bank account.

“I advise you to buy stocks of the Garapan Public Market today. It’s a great opportunity right now,” Yokeno said.

He expects Duck Tours to also do pretty well in the next couple of years.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, who spoke at the grand opening, welcomed Yokeno’s Duck Tours to the islands’ rebounding tourism industry.

“This is definitely part of tourism. Allowing this new type of tourism brings excitement not only to tourists but also to our local [residents]. My family had just got an opportunity to ride,” he said.

He also thanked the Marianas Visitors Authority and other government agencies for supporting Duck Tours.

“Tourism is our bread and butter and having different types of tourism activities here gives us an opportunity to showcase the beauty of our islands. …Let’s embrace this activity and come out with family and friends [to ride the Duck Tours].”

Yokeno said he owes a great deal of debt to Torres’ administration and even thanked first lady Diane Torres for trying out the tour.

“She went with one of the first trial tours. They went on the land and in the water and when she came back I was really relieved as she had a big smile in her face and she gave me big a thumbs up. When I saw that I was really, really relieved because now I know that the Duck can really float,” he said as the crowd laughed.

Public market board chair Deleon Guerrero said the grand opening of Duck Tours is a very proud moment not only for Yokeno’s company but the public market as well.

The Duck Tours vehicle is based on World War II-era DUKW. A regular ride costs $55 for tourists, $38 for local adults, and $28 for children ages 3-12. The ticket also serves as a $3 coupon for produce or snacks at the Garapan Public Market.

For more information and tickets, visit www.saipanducks.com or call 235-5050.