Occupancy at 89 pct. in April

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported an 89.54-percent occupancy among 11 member hotels for April 2017, a 12-percent increase compared to April 2016.

Average room rates were at $131.13 during the month, compared to $127.19 last April. A total of 62,270 of 69,541 available room nights sold in April 2017, compared to 54,482 of 69,804 available room nights sold over the same period last year.

“Visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy rates continue to increase, and now is the perfect time to turn our attention to some of the related matters affecting the sustainability of this extraordinary growth,” said HANMI chair Gloria Cavanagh. “As part of the CNMI delegation that attended the U.S. Senate hearing on Bill 339 in Washington, D.C. last month, it is imperative that we as a business community work hard to show why the CNMI continues to need the CW visa program and how critical it is for our economy for the program to continue. Although there have been current circumstances regarding negative labor practices, we must join together to show that this is not condoned and, most especially, not indicative of the business community as a whole. We have a lot of work to do to show our business integrity and we need everyone to join in to ensure that the CNMI receives the chance to have a self-sufficient economy today and in the future.”

“Secondly, HANMI is very excited about SB 20-35, which will help pave the way for renovations by our member hotels on public land,” said Cavanagh. “We sincerely thank Sen. Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan) for introducing the bill and the 20th Legislature for considering action to make it possible for long-time hotels to invest in upgrades for our facilities and help keep the Marianas competitive as a modern tourism destination. It is time to put this hurdle aside and show commitment to our long-term investors that have been here through thick and thin. We applaud our lawmakers for moving this bill through and are hopeful to know that there is an attempt to provide the Marianas with the vehicle to succeed. Although we have achieved average hotel room rates and average occupancy rates have been breaking long-held records, this will not continue if we are unable maintain a competitive edge.”

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands 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. (HANMI)