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At least seven new attractions are projected to be developed and added to
Saipan's tourism landscape in two to three years.
In his recent presentation to industry leaders, tourism destination
enhancement ad-hoc chairman Ivan Quichoho cited the following development
projects:
- Construction of a Japanese temple near Banzai cliff in three years
- A bigger, sophisticated Paseo de Marianas in two years
- Port to Park pathway
- Royal Palm Historical Park in central Garapan in over three years
- Calavera staircase and other caves development
- Susupe Lake Park in two yearsand
- Mt. Tapochau cable car in three years.
These projects would require several millions of dollars to accomplish. There
has been no talk about specific funding sources for the projects. Quichocho said
the architectural drawings for the Japanese temple are done. It will be built in
a land north of Saipan, which was donated by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
Paseo de Marianas in downtown Garapan, he said, is already a huge improvement
but it needs more activities and tenants. “Further improvements both in
activities and aesthetics are required to maximize this area as a tourist
attraction,” Quichocho said. He said a series of five designs and an investor
package have been completed for the project. For eco-tourism development, Lake
Susupe and cave enhancements as well as flame tree projects are top priorities.
“These are existing natural features on Saipan that have not been used as
tourist sites. We plan to turn them into new attractions,” the ad-hoc chair
said. Proponents plan to build a boardwalk and kiosks alongside the lake, giving
it a serene and charming ambiance.
The site will also be ideal for kayaking, educational tour, and nature
watching. The boardwalk extends approximately 1 mile and it takes about an hour
to walk the entire loop. Two observation towers would be built to give visitors
a spectacular view of the area.
Calavera staircase, tram
The Calavera Cave, located at the northend of the island, is proposed to have
calm lighting and a stairway to give visitors a safe access to its inner
recesses.
Quichocho said the interior would reveal astounding sights and natural
features such as running water and mysterious rock formations.
The cave will be surveyed by an archeologist and submitted to the national
registry of historic cites “due to artifacts, pictographs and petrogliths in the
cave.”
Quichocho said a private investor has developed plans and lined up financing
for a tram ride project up Mt. Tapochau.
He said final discussions are being finalized with affected landowners.
Royal Palm Park
The proposed Royal Palm Historical Park will encompass the Sugar King area,
the Central Garapan Park, and the CNMI Museum.
It would also consist of latte stone traditional village, Japanese temple and
traditional tea house, performance area and storytelling, Micronesian Legends
Garden, scenic pond and model boats, sugar train ride around the park, a tram
building for Mt. Tapochau ride, and Chinese Cultural Center and tea house.
Quichocho's adhoc committee report is part of the government's five-year
tourism strategic plan, which aims to increase tourist arrivals to 1 million a
year.
As of fiscal year 2006, the CNMI received nearly half a million tourists.
The strategic plan, which is implemented primarily by the Marianas Visitors
Authority, envisions that the CNMI shall have carved out its own niche in
international tourism as an authentic tropical paradise, a popular destination
known for its natural beauty and clean environment, rich culture, and a vibrant
community.
Part of the strategy is to position the CNMI as a “medium-priced destination”
rather than “an expensive low-cost destination.”
Right now, the CNMI is perceived as a low-cost destination despite its dollar
currency, MVA said.
Other destinations in Asia like Bali, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia
have lower-valued currencies, elaborate facilities, a greater choice of
shopping, nightlife, and a high level of hospitality service.
“The clear advantage of positioning the CNMI as a medium-priced destination
is that it puts us in the same bracket as our competitors, albeit in the lower
range. But being in the lower range of the mid-priced bracket serves as an
impetus for the CNMI and gives adequate room to greatly improve its tourism
product,” MVA said.
Based on the five-year plan, the CNMI aims to bring in 500,000 tourists from
Japan in four years, representing 50 percent of total arrivals; 250,000 or 25
percent from China; 150,000 or 15 percent from Korea, 25,000 or 2.5 percent from
Taiwan; 10,000 or 1 percent from Russia; and 65,000 or 6.5 percent from other
markets. |
