SAIPAN — The Apatang administration is preparing to authorize new flexibility for the Department of Public Lands to provide temporary relief to hotels and businesses operating on public lands, the Marianas Visitors Authority announced Thursday.
A formal announcement is expected next week. The policy direction, to be implemented either through executive order or procedural changes to DPL regulations, would allow the department to offer rent deferrals, quarterly payment schedules and market-responsive lease adjustments to lessees facing financial strain from reduced airline capacity and declining visitor arrivals.
The CNMI’s tourism industry continues to struggle. The MVA reports visitor arrivals remain well below pre-pandemic levels, with several large resort properties vacant or partially idle. The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands has reported thousands of vacant hotel room nights across Saipan. Through February, the Marianas received 64,656 visitors in Fiscal Year 2026, down 20% from the same period last fiscal year. Rising airline ticket prices tied to the ongoing conflict in Iran have added further pressure.
“Tourism is the backbone of our economy, and our administration recognizes the extraordinary pressures our hotels and other local businesses have faced in recent years,” Governor David M. Apatang said. “We will be implementing this relief policy to help ensure that our public land policies remain responsive to current economic realities while protecting the long-term value of our lands and supporting the businesses that employ our people.”
MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez said the measure reflects a coordinated government effort to stabilize the tourism sector.
“Many of our hotels operate on public lands and have carried enormous financial strain through the downturn,” Villagomez said. “The Governor’s action provides important flexibility that can help these properties remain operational and ready to welcome visitors as the Marianas continues its tourism recovery.”
Villagomez said maintaining viable hospitality infrastructure is essential to the destination’s long-term competitiveness.
“Policies that keep hotels and other businesses active help preserve jobs and ensure that the Marianas can fully capture future visitor growth, while still fully preserving lease revenue for the government,” he said.