[photopress:Saipan_2.jpg,full,alignright]It could be that you could fly directly to Saipan from either Guangzhou or Shanghai. Now you can do so from Beijing. The direct flight, operated by Air China will be twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday.
Perry Tenorio, director of MarianasTourism Bureau, said, ‘We welcome more and more Chinese tourists to Marianas, the nearest US territory to China. Chinese visitors can enjoy rich cultural resource and historical relics on the islands. We will provide more favorable conditions for Chinese charter flights and visitors’ entry permits.’
He predicted some 900 Beijing travelers will fly on board of the direct flights by year end and the number will reach 16,000 in one year.
So where is Saipan and why would anyone want to go there?
It is the largest of the 15 islands of the Marianas which is in the western Pacific Ocean, is part of what is called the United States Commonwealth and always has been a destination of some controversy. There are about 60,000 people living there. The nearest biggish place is Guam about 600 km away. Saipan has always been a popular tourist destination because of the skin diving and the pleasant beaches. But the Japanese who were the main tourist stream have turned away from Saipan and the Marianas is looking to China to make up the shortfall.
Last year, Saipan hosted 33,000 Chinese visitors and the figure is still increasing at 15% annually.
Source: TDC Trade