WHEREAS, Tourism is the primary economic driver for The Marianas, comprising about three-fourths of the entire economy. Due to the pandemic, in FY 2021, only about 5,000 total visitors came to The Marianas. So far, this fiscal year, approximately 18,000 visitors have come to our shores as tourism begins to slowly recover under the Tourism Investment Resumption Plan – or TRIP – led by the Marianas Visitors Authority in cooperation with public and private partners.
WHEREAS, Our 2022 Marianas Tourism Month theme is “The Future of Travel,” looking at travel post-pandemic and beyond. Through the MVA’s 10-year Strategic Plan Toward a Sustainable Tourism Industry, the future of travel includes a modern, sustainable, and successful tourism industry achieved through integrated resource planning and management. This includes jobs, a solid tax base, and a diverse customer base that provide a healthy level of profit for businesses, that promotes inter-island travel, and opportunities to enhance, preserve, and share the Marianas culture nationwide.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of travel honors the heritage of the Chamorro and Carolinian people, including natural and cultural resources, by strengthening the relationship between the tourism industry and the Chamorro and Carolinian community and other activities. This includes taking the Hafa Adai and Tirow Pledge.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of travel includes collaborative research, develop programs, policies, and plans that positively contribute to the Marianas economy and benefit the community, inclusive of collecting, analyzing, and monitoring visitor arrivals, visitors’ expenditures, visitors’ satisfaction, and residents’ attitude data.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of travel develops marketing programs to attract visitors to The Marianas with tailored marketing efforts about the unique characteristics of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of travel includes annual signature events, public outreach and education throughout The Marianas, including activities to improve the lines of communication among tourism industry stakeholders.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of travel nurtures every tour guide who serve as our welcoming agents equipped with the right tools to best showcase The Marianas and its people. This includes increasing tour guides knowledge of the indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian history and culture.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of travel provides a diverse and quality tourism destination product that enhances visitors’ experience and residents’ quality of life by developing new and strengthening existing experiential visitor activities and products.
WHEREAS, The Marianas future of tourism engages in “Safe Tourism” campaign efforts that focus on preventing crime and other adversities by educating visitors, residents, and industry workers about potential risks to health and safety and other related activities.
WHEREAS, Tourism helps create opportunities for economic prosperity, international trade, cross-cultural understanding, and a higher quality of life. In recognition of the benefits of tourism, the MVA motto “Tourism is Everybody’s Business” remains a vital reminder for all stakeholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RALPH DLG. TORRES, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as
MARIANAS TOURISM MONTH
I call upon all the people of The Marianas to unite in observing this occasion, especially through supporting and enhancing the tourism industry, and I invite residents and visitors alike to observe and support the activities planned in celebration of this month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand on this 28th day of April 2022.
/s/
RALPH DLG. TORRES
Governor
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