HANMI celebrates 30 years

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, also known as HANMI, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of partnership with the local government and community with a series of celebration activities.

HANMI was established in 1985 as a professional forum for the hospitality industry of the CNMI. Today the association is composed of 11 of the major hotels in the Northern Marianas serving a diversity of markets including Korea, Japan, China, and Russia. The association also has a growing number of associate members in related industries.

HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh, fourth from right, poses with top finishers of the Saipan Marathon on April 25, 2015. As part of its regular annual donations, HANMI supports the annual signature event with cash prizes for the top marathon winners, operation of several aid stations by member hotels, and supplies including paper cups and sponges. (Contributed Photo)

HANMI members account for most of the hotel rooms in the Northern Marianas. Last year, HANMI members contributed $13.2 million in hotel occupancy tax to government coffers, as well as $4.4 million in gross revenue receipts. The hotel industry is the largest private employer in the CNMI, with HANMI members currently employing about 1,600 employees.

“For the last 30 years, HANMI has played a vital role in the CNMI economy,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “For example, two years ago Marianas Visitors Authority was limited in promoting our destination properly due to budget constraints. HANMI helped push for an increase of our hotel occupancy tax, ensuring that MVA would receive the majority of these funds. Thanks to the foresight of the 18th Legislature, this became public law in April 2013. We can see the dramatic difference in the community since, with the increase of visitor arrivals and the ongoing destination enhancement programs on all three islands.”

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, HANMI will donate a portion of its proceeds each week from the Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden to a designated community group. A student logo contest will also be announced shortly to kick off the year’s celebration activities, which will include an anniversary gala later this year.

“Our economic contributions—and the accompanying trickledown effect and indirect economic impact—are certainly an important part of what HANMI does for the Commonwealth,” said Cavanagh. “However, what is also important are the people. This includes our valued employees who have worked 24-7 to deliver a high level of service for our visitors so they enjoy their visit and want to come again. It includes the community groups we have worked with through the years, through donations or other forms of sponsorship, to make our islands a better place to live. And it includes all those who benefit from us being in business, whether it local families coming out to enjoy our restaurants or government workers supported by our taxes. HANMI’s 30th anniversary is a celebration of what we have done together to build a stronger Commonwealth and bring us to where we are today.”

For more anniversary celebration details, visit HANMI’s Facebook page: HANMI’s 30th Anniversary. (HANMI)