Tourists not interested in casinos

The tourism master plan of the CNMI yielded an interesting fact: casinos did not make it to the Top Ten list of activities and options that tourists from various destinations wanted to see or explore in the Commonwealth.

This was what Management Analysis Inc. president Art Smith and consultant Lynn Knight disclosed during the public presentation of the master plan for 2012-2016 yesterday at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Hotel which saw the attendance of over 100 participants.

For this reason, Knight said the project team did not make a strong recommendation about casinos as based on the responses received from survey respondents in the master plan.

What the survey found, she revealed, is that first-time and repeat visitors are still more interested in exploring nature. Knight, however, pointed out that by this result, it does not mean that the casino idea is bad or better for the island.

According to Smith, among the five areas of origin they examined in the exit survey, none identified casinos as among the things they are interested to see in the CNMI. This despite the differences of interests found among tourists from Japan, Korea, China, Russia, Guam, and other markets.

Smith disclosed that based on the survey result, 79 percent of Japanese who visit the islands would like to see more of nature and scenic attractions, while 35 percent are looking forward for marine and sea life exhibit. It was also found out that among the tourists, Japanese visitors indicated a high level of satisfaction and experience in the CNMI.

Data showed that Japanese tourists recorded an average length of stay of 3.3 nights and repeat visitors account for 40.5 percent. During their stay, average on-island expenditure is $758.20. It was revealed that 84 percent come to the islands because of its tropical climate, sea, and beaches while 32 percent come for nature activities, and 20 percent for scuba diving.

If Japanese visitors are well satisfied with their visit, Koreans are less satisfied with their vacation because of value and pricing they experience on island.

Of the Top Ten activities they like to see more here are the local food (38 percent); and open market/night market (32 percent). Based on the survey, Koreans stayed on island at least four nights and repeat visitors are 15.5 percent. Their on-island expenditure is estimated at $568.73 and 67 percent of them come for the tropical climate while 37 percent are interested in nature activities. Scuba diving and honeymoons and weddings accounted only 10 percent and 12 percent, respectively. From Korea, only 3 percent of visitors come to CNMI to play golf.

Meantime, 82 percent of Chinese visitors explore the CNMI because of its sea and beaches; 71 percent come for nature activities; and 28 percent for scuba diving. Chinese tourists average length of stay is four nights and repeat visitors account for 4 percent. In their next visit, Chinese want to see more of marine and sea life (43 percent); nature and scenic attraction (41 percent); and night clubs (39 percent).

For Russian tourists, a significant percentage visit the islands to shop (50 percent); nature/scenic attractions (47 percent); and night clubs (40 percent).

The survey indicated that for visitors from Guam and U.S., they want to see more of shopping centers in the CNMI, more scenic attractions, outdoor camping or ecolodge.

Despite hearing the result of the master plan’s survey, vice speaker Felicidad Ogumoro (Cov-Saipan) and Rep. Ramon Basa (Cov-Saipan) said this will not bear any impact on their plan to push for casino on Saipan.

“It’s no secret that casino is not a new concept and it’s a growing industry all over the world. Like in the U.S., more casinos are being erected because they see that it brings more tourists. So even though it is not among the top interests [on the survey], still there was a mention that there are tourists who said that it is one of the many great ideas to implement when they come again,” Basa told Saipan Tribune during yesterday’s public presentation.

He disclosed that despite the passage of previous casino bills at the House, a popular initiative is being finalized for the November election.

Basa said as an advocate for casino, he is not saying that the casino idea will be the silver bullet for the economic distress of the CNMI, but one of the many revenue-generating approaches that can revitalize the economy.

Ogumoro, for her part, said the result of the survey cannot stop them from pushing for the casino initiative. “In fact, we’re finalizing the final documents so we can start the signature drive,” she said.