The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) has issued a statement aimed at reassuring its tourism partners that the region’s recovery from Typhoon Soudelor is proceeding quickly and smoothly, with most tourism operations now restored in the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

In Saipan, the MVA says that its tourism partners are now ‘enjoying the island in comfort’, which is obviously reassuring considering it suffered the most damage during the typhoon.

“Hotels are open, restaurants are open, water sports and land tours are open, and most importantly — the tropical sun is shining today and beaches are open,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio.

Tourists at the award-winning Managaha in the Northern Mariana Islands.

“Social media gave a very realistic picture of the damage after the storm, and we encourage visitors to take a look at the wonderful photos now coming out — many posted by visitors — that show tourism and island life returning to normal. We are definitely open for business.” [The latest photos and updates are posted on MVA’s Facebook pages-Ed].

“The resilience of the people and a renewed sense of community has been extraordinary over the last three weeks,” said Tenorio. “The average visitor will have the same quality of experience as before the storm, except perhaps for some stores accepting only cash and some restaurants remaining closed. The important things visitors look for are still here, including our beautiful nature, fresh air, clean ocean, and complete relaxation.”

The MVA added that the iconic Beach Road, which suffered downed trees and power poles after the storm, is also now fully open.

Visitors enjoy sun, sand and surf at Managaha in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Arrivals numbers in July remained very healthy in the MVA’s latest report, although temporary nighttime operational cancellations at Saipan International Airport in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor have dented August arrivals figures, as Tenorio acknowledged.

He said July’s visitor arrivals to the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) as a whole were up 10% compared to July 2014, with arrivals to the three islands registering 40,882 visitors, compared with 37,253 received in July 2014.

“Through July this fiscal year, total visitors arrivals are up 12% compared to the same period last year,” said Tenorio. “As for August, we are seeing a significant reduction in numbers due to temporary cancellations of nighttime operations at the Saipan International Airport in the wake of Typhoon Soudelor. The good news is, visitors are still coming and 24-hour operation has now been restored at the airport.”

Arrivals from Korea jumped 52% in July to 15,321 visitors, while this from China edged 2% higher compared to July 2014 at 17,964. Because of Typhoon Soudelor, 20 charter flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong were cancelled between August 2-15 and around 5,310 tour cancellations in total were seen during these period.

Arrivals from Japan also fell by 11% to 5,624 visitors without any charter flights from Japan to the NMI during the month of July. Meanwhile, in an interview with the local Marianas Variety newspaper, DFS Vice President for Global PRC Travel Industry Marketing Richard Zhou is very upbeat about the future prospects for Chinese visitor growth to Saipan.

He is quoted as saying that he believes Saipan will become a preferred destination for Chinese visitors due to its four-hour flight distance, the clean environment and the fact that it is also a US territory. He is also quoted as describing DFS’ agreement to rent casino space in its T Galleria to Saipan’s exclusive operator Best Sunshine as a ‘win-win’ for both companies who serve the same customers.

To read this article in the Marianas Variety newspaper covering a visit by 20 leading Chinese tour operators to Saipan and the prospects for more Chinese visitors, click here: http://www.mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/79704-more-flights-from-china-soon-says-business-executive

To read the article on visitor numbers to Saipan, the cooperation agreement between Casino operator Best Sunshine and DFS Saipan, and Best Sunshine’s ambitious $7.1bn resort project for Saipan, click here: http://www.trbusiness.com/regional-news/asia-pacific/saipan-and-dfs-gamble-on-chinese-arrivals/79102