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The Northern Mariana Islands plans to subsidize airlines, hotels, travel agencies and hospitality businesses to jumpstart tourism, according to a news release.
The Marianas Tourism Resumption Task Force announced the details of its Tourism Resumption Investment Plan, or TRIP, June 1.
“The main point is that we keep our community safe as we reopen our doors to tourists,” Priscilla M. Iakopo, managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors unanimously agreed to the plan, which takes place over a two-month pilot period and begins in mid-July.
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To begin, the Marianas will subsidize airlines with passenger capacities of less than 40%. Each passenger will be provided $250-$500 per island (Saipan, Tinian and Rota) in “travel bucks” to spend at qualified businesses, such as optional tours, retail stores and restaurants.
Businesses interested in being a part of the travel corridor will need to apply for the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels Stamp, which ensures businesses comply with COVID-19 safety rules.
“It is a plan based on extensive discussions with our major tourism partners and industry experts in both the Marianas and our major source markets,” said Viola Alepuyo, chairwoman of Marianas Visitors Authority. “COVID-19 protocols that have helped the Marianas remain relatively unscathed during the pandemic will continue to be in place.”
The program will start with two flights a week from Korea, with 1,400 passengers over two months.
Requirements
Passengers must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight, as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for any visitors entering the country.
Visitors will still be required to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and again after five days of quarantine at a resort.
They will also need to show a negative COVID-19 test before leaving quarantine, then stay at hotels on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
“The current two-test policy for arriving passengers from Guam has proven extremely effective, and we only want to broaden that protection with international flights by requiring passengers to test negative before they come to the Marianas,” Alepuyo said.
The Marianas Visitors Authority is preparing to issue requests for proposals for airlines, hotels and other partners.
“Federal aid for the pandemic will be running out soon, and the Tourism Resumption Investment Plan aims to get people back to work, businesses to reopen, and our Marianas economy running again,” Iakopo said.
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