Post-COVID tourism slowly recovers in Saipan, backed by South Korean visitors

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. pick up / pɪk ʌp / (phrasal v.) – to improve or increase in activity after a time of little activity
    Example:

    Toy sales are slowly picking up one to two months before the holidays.


  2. account for (something) / əˈkaʊnt fawr / (phrasal v.) – to be included in or contribute to the total amount of something
    Example:

    Children account for the majority of the audience who watched the animated film.


  3. idyll / ˈaɪd l / (n.) – a place or an experience that’s happy, peaceful, and enjoyable
    Example:

    The cottage by the lake was the perfect setting for their summer idyll.


  4. price freeze / praɪs friz / (n.) – a temporary situation in which the government doesn't allow price increases for specific products or services
    Example:

    Citizens appreciated the price freeze on necessary food items during the pandemic.


  5. on hold / ɒn hoʊld / (idiom) – temporarily delayed
    Example:

    The project was put on hold because of the lack of funds.


Article

Read the text below.

Tourism on the island of Saipan in the Western Pacific is gradually picking up after taking a massive hit during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Once a popular option for Japanese tourists, Korean holidaymakers now account for the majority of visitors to this laid-back resort destination. Turquoise seas, white sandy beaches and palm trees—it looks like a picture postcard from a tropical idyll. No wonder the economy of Saipan relies heavily on tourism.


Saipan is the largest island and capital of the Northern Marianas, a territory of the United States.


The COVID-19 pandemic almost spelled disaster for this rural Western Pacific island. All flights in and out of the Northern Mariana Islands were suspended for nearly a month. The number of visitors dropped by more than 99.9% in the following year compared to the year before, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA).


With tourism accounting for about three-quarters of the islands’ entire economy, a price freeze was declared to maintain local living standards. Prices of gasoline, kerosene, food, water, and light bulbs were frozen as well as the major construction works.


A luxury casino resort developed by Hong Kong-based Imperial Pacific International Holding towers over Garapan, Saipan’s main tourist district. It remains unfinished ever since the works were put on hold during the pandemic.


With the reopening of the airspace, and direct flights resuming, the number of tourists is recovering. More than 70 percent of visitors come from South Korea, according to MVA. 13,378 arrivals from the country were recorded in May 2024.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • What do you think tourist destination managers can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic to handle future problems better? Do you think tourist destinations managers in your country ensure that everyone is still healthy and safe despite the end of the global pandemic? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you feel that it is already safe to visit tourist destinations or do you still have concerns? Why do you say so? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you think it is a good idea for a country to rely a lot on tourism? Do you think your country’s economy heavily relies on tourism? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, did tourism in your country pick up well after the massive hit of COVID-19? Why or why not? Are there changes that occurred in tourism your country before and after the pandemic? Discuss.