Previous Story
MVA installs safety signs at key tourist sites
As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit, the Marianas Visitors Authority has installed safety signs at four key locations on Saipan.
The safety signs warn of strong currents, large waves, and cliff lines and were installed last month at Obyan Beach, Ladder Beach, Lau Lau Beach, and Forbidden Island Lookout, and trailhead.
“In the past a majority of our visitors were on package tours, visiting select sites with their tour guides. But as FIT—fully independent travel—has grown, we’ve seen an increase in the number of visitors placing themselves in dangerous and evenly deadly situations, sometimes because they are not aware of certain dangers,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “The four sites selected for signs have been identified as the most critical based on present danger, frequency of use, and remoteness. We want every visitor to return home safely, and hopefully these signs will help them exercise greater caution and make informed decisions about their personal safety when visiting these locations.”
The warnings are provided in English, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese, the four languages used most by visitors to the islands. The safety signs supplement MVA’s ongoing, multi-language videos on personal and driving safety that air on the Visitors Channel.
“‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business,’ so if you see a tourist about to put themselves in danger, please warn them,” said MVA tour guide certification manager Kuen-Hee Han. “Together, we can help prevent injuries and save lives.”
Safety is also one of the topics taught as part of the MVA tour guide certification program curriculum at Northern Marianas College. (PR)
