Will tourists come on July 15?

With less than a month until the projected July 15 reopening, the CNMI government is working non-stop with both the local businesses and the partner countries in getting the islands ready for tourists. The goal is two-pronged: first, to ensure that the community is safe; and second, to work with partners in preparing for July, should the tourist industry get back online.

The CNMI, however, is operating from a realistic perspective, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said, given that there are factors that are beyond local control. Hence, the moving target.

In an interview on the subject, Torres said the CNMI’s tourist market is also having difficulties within their own countries in how they would treat returning residents. If they do come to the CNMI, these countries have their own protocols on how to welcome back returning residents. Torres said the CNMI government is working with airlines, tour agents, and the Marianas Visitors Authority on these countries to address these concerns.

Quarantine protocols for travelers pose as an issue in tourism, considering that a traveler will be subjected to days of quarantine before getting into the CNMI, and could get subjected to quarantine again, when they go back to their countries.

“…Other countries…have their own quarantine of 14 days so even if we open here, tourists going back to their country will be parked for 14 days. Those are the challenges,” Torres said. “Obviously, our travel partners’ countries have their own regulation, and are out of our hands. But we’re definitely working with each respective entity in showcasing what we have on the islands.”

The governor also said that the Economic Council and Advisors will be meeting this week. “If we can’t get in July, then we move on to August,” Torres said. “But the whole approach with the community partnership, with the private sector, with [the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands], Saipan Chamber of Commerce, and everyone, is to allow the transition for the community and our businesses to have a new norm, and be ready, in case our tourist market is able to come online,” he said. “Our whole purpose of opening, having an opening date, is for our community and our business partners to get accustomed to those changes.”

Right now, the CNMI’s crown jewel, Managaha Island, is already open, subject to social distancing requirements, but the Grotto and other public beaches are still deemed closed. Public beaches may be accessed but only for exercise purposes and subsistence fishing.

With a mainly tourism-based economy, should tourists continue to not come until the end of the year, there are federal programs to support the CNMI. Community support to local businesses also is key.