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Hotel occupancy at 97 pct. in Aug.
New record for August occupancy rates
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands posted another record-breaking month in August, reporting a 97.35-percent average occupancy rate among 11 member hotels for the month.
The figure reflects a 4-percent increase compared to August 2016 and breaks the August 2013 record of 94.01 percent average occupancy.
Average room rates were $163.40 during the month, compared to $156.25 last August and second only to the record on $172.53 in August 1997.
A total of 69,981 of 71,963 available room nights sold in August 2017, compared to 66,842 of 71,803 available room nights sold over the same period last year.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of tourism in the Marianas, as we continue to partner with the community and the government in supporting a strong industry,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “Now that we have helped make economy strong again, we are focusing on keeping it that way. That includes retaining access to foreign workers that sustain the industry, retaining access to visitors travelling here through visa waiver or parole-in-place status, and negotiating new leases or lease extensions for hotels on public land, as proposed by [Senate Bill] 20-35. These matters are critical to continuing the upward trend of the economy.”
HANMI was established in 1985 as a professional forum for the hospitality industry of the NMI. HANMI also makes regular charitable donations to support non-profit organizations and tourism-related government projects. (PR)
