HANMI occupancy at 86 pct. in Jan.

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported an 85.52-percent average occupancy rate among 11 member hotels in January 2019.

This reflects a 4-percent decrease compared to January 2018.

Average room rates were lower than last year at $161.56 compared to $177.89 in January 2018.

A total of 58,417 of 68,310 available room nights sold in January 2019, compared to 72,801 of 81,554 available room nights sold over the same period last year.

The reduced number of hotel rooms reflects the continued closure of hotel rooms damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu in October 2018, as well as the closure of Mariana Resort & Spa on Oct. 1, 2018.

“It’s a welcome relief for our hotels to see occupancy begin to normalize following Super Typhoon Yutu in late October,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “As we await the resumption of all flights from Korea and the commencement of new flights from Japan, the job before us now is to work with the government to help ensure we keep our China visitors through the U.S. immigration parole system and that we ensure we have an adequate workforce to sustain the industry. Without those two elements, our collective efforts to recover from the physical catastrophe of Yutu will really be for naught, because it would be an economic catastrophe for the Marianas, as the China market currently makes up 50 percent of our tourism economy.”

HANMI was established in 1985 as a professional forum for the hospitality industry of the Marianas. HANMI also makes regular charitable donations to support non-profit organizations and tourism-related government projects, including $20,000 in holiday meal vouchers distributed via charitable organizations following Super Typhoon Yutu. HANMI is also collaborating with the Marianas Visitors Authority and other partners on an upcoming mega-event in April to reboot the destination.

“At this moment, the Korean market outlook for March is at a critical low pre-booking status for hotels,” said Cavanagh. “We need to support the MVA and our tourism partners in the Korean market to get the word out that Saipan and Tinian are open and recovered from Typhoon Yutu. We urge all partners, sponsors, and the community to support the MVA in its efforts, which will ultimately benefit government, local businesses, employees, and all residents.”

Hotels included in HANMI’s monthly statistical reports are Aqua Resort Club, Aquarius Beach Tower, Century Hotel, GrandVrio Resort Saipan, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Kanoa Resort Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Saipan World Resort, and Pacific Islands Club Saipan. (PR)