Saipan Air, MVA announce new Japan flights

New daily direct flights beginning this summer from Tokyo and Osaka to Saipan were announced to over 150 travel trade partners and 60 media partners in Japan last week by Saipan Air and the Marianas Visitors Authority.

Launch receptions held on May 30 and May 31 were well received in anticipation of daily service from Tokyo’s Narita Airport beginning July 1 and from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport beginning Aug. 1. Similar receptions were held earlier in the month in China to raise awareness of direct flights from Beijing beginning July 2 and Shenyang on Aug. 2.

The receptions were attended by Gov. Benigno Fitial of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio; Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan, and Saipan Air vice president and chief operating officer Adam Ferguson.

Prior to the receptions, media roundtables were also held, attended by travel trade media including Travel Vision, Wing Travel, and Travel Journal, the three most influential travel trade weekly magazines covering industry-related topics.

The NMI delegation also met with presidents of major travel agencies HIS, JTB, and Kinki Nippon Tourist.

“We eagerly anticipate the launch of Saipan Air and the many additional visitors the new flights will bring to enjoy our beautiful islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota,” said Tenorio. “With the implementation of the new environmental and promotional fee, we can also expect more promotions in the second half of this year, benefiting all our tourism partners who are eagerly looking to growth in our tourism industry.”

During the receptions, Saipan Air presented the flight schedule and introduced the new in-flight video introducing tourism products of the Northern Mariana Islands. In addition, a fashion shoot-style show was used to unveil the Saipan Air flight attendant uniforms, worn by student volunteers from Hospitality Tourism College who aspire to become flight attendants themselves. Japanese musician Kiri also spoke of her frequent visits to the Northern Mariana Islands with her family and sang two songs, accompanied by ukulele.

Saipan Air is the Northern Mariana Islands’ first locally owned air service. [B][I](MVA)[/I][/B]