MVA hosts Golf Digest FAM tour

Participants and hosts of the Marianas Visitors Authority’s golf FAM(iliarization) visit LaoLao Bay Golf Resort on Dec. 6, 2016, in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Pictured from left are Jianjie Ma, Best Sunshine International VP David Largent, Ju Kuang Tan, Jing Chen, Meifang Hu, and MVA marketing manager Bruce Bateman. (Contributed Photo)

The Marianas Visitors Authority continues to promote the world-class golf available in the Northern Marianas-most recently with a media FAM(iliarization) tour attracting media from Korea, Japan, China and Singapore.

On Dec. 5-9, 2016, the MVA hosted four media outlets and three power bloggers for a tour of Lao Lao Bay Golf & Resort, Kingfisher Golf Links, and Coral Ocean Golf Resort, introducing golf facilities and services in the NMI to attract more golfers. The participating media from Japan were Regina magazine, Golf Digest Traveler magazine; from China, Singapore, and Korea were Golf Digest magazine, and from Korea were also three power bloggers specializing in travel and golf with at least 3,000 daily visitors to their blogs. Golf Digest Magazine is the biggest and most renowned golf magazine in the world with a circulation of 10 million in 56 countries in 17 language.

“This month’s golf FAM tour is intended to grow the golf niche market, which Saipan and Rota have great potential for due to our year-round tropical weather, professionally designed courses, and stunning course views,” said MVA marketing manager Bruce Bateman. “We already have a strong golf market in Korea, and we continue work to rebuild the numbers of golfers from Japan and develop the new golf market of China. Singapore was also a welcome addition to this month’s tour, as Golf Digest publishes there, as well. The trip also motivates travel agents and airlines to launch new marketing plans that sell more NMI products related to golf tourism.”

Other sites visited and activities in Saipan on the tour included Managaha, I’Sagua Spa at Hyatt Regency Saipan, Mt. Tapochao, Best Sunshine Int’l gaming facility and yacht, scenic and historic sites of Marpi, Mariana Ocean, and“mwar”-making(floral head leis).

A welcoming dinner was hosted by Best Sunshine International, and dining was enjoyed at Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory, Surf Club, Boka Boka, Zen Teppenyaki Restaurant, World Café at Fiesta Resort & Spa, Kinpachi Restaurant, Amigo Restaurant, and Isla Teppenyaki at Pacific Islands Club Saipan. The group lodged at LaoLao Bay Golf Resort and Kensington Hotel Saipan.

In addition to media coverage, the FAM tour will receive additional exposure on the MVA’s social media channels and blogs overseas.

Best Sunshine Int’l supported the groups by providing ground transportation throughout their stay, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort and Kingfisher Golf Links both provided golf play, meals and other services ata major discount to the group, and the Department of Public Lands provided film permits. (MVA)