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‘Happy Children in Paradise’ returns on July 1
One of the Marianas Visitors Authority’s longeststanding promotional campaigns, “Happy Children in Paradise,” returns to put smiles on the faces of visiting children beginning on July 1.
The 15th year edition of the Saipan-da backpack for 2014. The Marianas Visitors Authority anticipates distributing 16,000 of the backpacks to visiting children this year as part of its “Happy Children in Paradise” campaign. (Contributed Photo)
The campaign provides Saipan-da backpacks to all visiting children ages 11 and younger as a souvenir of their visit to the Northern Mariana Islands during the summer months and at Christmas time. The MVA expects to give away approximately 16,000 of the 15th anniversary backpacks to happy kids this year.
“Saipan-da is a popular figure in a couple of our markets, especially Japan. He is featured on national and regional television, gets his own invitations to special events, and does a great job of helping potential travelers remember the destination of ‘Saipan,’” said MVA marketing manager Bruce Bateman. “When we’re competing at international trade shows or other events with over 100 other vacation destinations, Saipan-da helps keep our islands in people’s minds. Both children and adults are drawn to Saipan-da!”
The summer campaign will run though Sept. 30, 2014. Participating hotels will distribute coupons to qualified guests during the period. The coupons will be redeemable at the DFS Galleria Saipan-da Corner, where a live action Saipan-da will greet guests and be available for picture taking.
The name Saipan-da is a triple play on words in English and Japanese: “sai” means rhinoceros, the panda bear, and the destination name Saipan. The whole word Saipan-da! means “Saipan is it!” in Japanese, or “Saipan’s the place to be!” (MVA)
