After a FAM tour to get the word out that the CNMI is again welcoming tourists, the travel bubble between the Commonwealth and South Korea began in earnest late last month with 92 actual paying tourists arriving to soak in the sun and sand on the islands.
Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Priscilla Iakopo said the first two flights last July 24 via Jeju Air and Asiana Airlines brought in a total of 92 tourists.
This far exceeded the tourism body's earlier projections the flight load for each flight would just be 20 percent or 68 passengers in all.
To talk more about this I am joined by our correspondent in the CNMI, Mark Rabago, welcome Mark first of all what is a FAM tour?
Northern Marianas reopens borders to tourists from South Korea, with some restricted provisions. July 2021 Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Mark Rabago
