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Flores eyes share of $15 ‘travel fee’ to fund cultural exchange program
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Posted on Oct 27 2011
Mayor Donald G. Flores wants a cut in the amount that would be raised from a bill that seeks to collect a new $15 “travel promotion fee” from passengers from non-U.S. destinations.
Flores is urging the Legislature to earmark 10 percent of the total amount that would be collected to help fund his office’s decades-old cultural exchange program.
The proposed fee is outlined in House Bill 17-179. It is now awaiting the governor’s signature.
“As the student cultural exchange program continues year after year, we are finding it very difficult to reciprocate hosting our Japanese and Korean visitors here at our very own home at the level of treatment we receive when we travel to their home countries. We need funds to ensure our exchange program survives for years to come, and by doing so, would encourage our Japanese and Korean friends to return to our island year after year,” wrote Flores in a letter to House and Senate officials.
Flores, in his letter, underscored the importance of the cultural exchange programs as it allows students “experience firsthand our own core values and way of life” as they enter the homes of their host local families.
According to Flores, the cultural exchange program is “a source of revenue for the CNMI” as participating students and chaperones shop during their stay on the island.
Flores pointed out the cultural exchange program “does not even spend a penny on advertisement” yet “it brings in visitors from Japan and Korea year after year.”
