SAIPAN — Jeju Air will resume service from Seoul Incheon to Saipan on June 20, the first in a series of flight resumptions announced as the Marianas prepares for a phased increase of visitors following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the Marianas Visitors Authority announced Thursday.
Hong Kong Airlines anticipates resuming service from Hong Kong in July with a date to be confirmed, United Airlines resumes service from Tokyo Narita on August 2 and Philippine Airlines returns in October, according to MVA. United continues ongoing daily service from Guam, while STAR Marianas and MACS provide inter-island service.
“Every day, our islands are moving forward, and the resilience of our people is at the heart of this recovery,” said MVA Acting Managing Director Judy C. Torres. “We are preparing carefully for the phased increase of visitors, and we are grateful to the volunteers, partners, and agencies working tirelessly to clear debris, reopen public spaces, and bring the Marianas back to its natural beauty.”
Several major properties have restored or are restoring essential services, including Aqua Resort Club, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan, Pacific Islands Club Saipan and Surfrider Resort Hotel, with room availability, amenities and reopening timelines varying by property. LaoLao Bay Golf Resort has opened 18 holes at its two-course facility.
Dozens of volunteers, businesses and government partners joined MVA at last week’s Paseo de Marianas Area Cleanup, restoring one of Saipan’s busiest visitor areas through trash pickup, bush cutting and sweeping.
“There’s a lot of great work being done to clean up across all the islands, and that’s also an important part of tourism readiness,” Torres said. “As we always say, we’re inviting visitors to our home, and we want to make sure it’s clean.”
Volunteers and government agencies have cleared large debris from several locations, especially in the Marpi area of northern Saipan. MVA’s assessment of historic and scenic sites found many trails blocked by fallen trees and debris, including the trail to Bird Island Beach, and the tourism office is evaluating how to safely clear key trails used by locals and visitors.
With piles of household and business debris remaining throughout the villages, MVA encouraged the public to organize neighborhood cleanup days and report illegal dumping to the appropriate authorities.
“Every household that clears debris, every business that reopens, and every volunteer who shows up makes a real difference for tourism and our economy,” Torres said. “Tourism is everybody’s business, and together we are rebuilding a stronger, more welcoming Marianas.”