Administration Plans Marianas Public Land Lease Relief

MVA PR - The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) welcomes a new policy direction being taken by Governor David M. Apatang aimed at helping hotels and businesses operating on public lands remain viable during the Marianas’ ongoing tourism recovery.

The administration is anticipated to make a formal announcement next week authorizing new flexibility for the Department of Public Lands (DPL) to provide temporary relief and operational adjustments for public-land lessees, including hotels and tourism-related properties that have faced prolonged challenges due to reduced airline capacity and visitor arrival decline.

Tourism remains the Marianas’ primary economic driver, yet the industry continues to rebuild following years of disruption. According to the MVA, annual visitor arrivals remain well below pre-pandemic levels, while several large resort properties remain vacant or partially idle. The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands has also reported that thousands of hotel room nights across Saipan remain vacant as operators manage reduced demand and rising operational costs. Most recently, the Marianas has joined destinations worldwide contending with drastically rising airline ticket prices as the continuing conflict in Iran drives up oil prices.

The administration’s direction - anticipated to be formalized either via executive order or procedural changes to DPL regulations and policies – is anticipated to allow the department to implement flexible policies such as rent deferrals, quarterly payment schedules, and market-responsive lease adjustments to help stabilize businesses leasing public land.

Governor Apatang said the action reflects the administration’s commitment to protecting jobs, sustaining investment, and keeping the tourism industry positioned for recovery.

“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,” said Governor Apatang. “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 leadership said the measure demonstrates a coordinated effort across the government to help stabilize the tourism sector while the destination rebuilds air service and visitor demand.

“Many of our hotels operate on public lands and have carried enormous financial strain through the downturn,” said MVA Board Chairman Warren Villagomez. “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 added that maintaining viable hotel and hospitality infrastructure is essential to the destination’s long-term competitiveness.

“Our brand promise is that the Marianas is a Far From Ordinary destination, and that experience depends on a healthy hospitality sector,” he said. “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. By supporting our hotel partners today, the administration is helping ensure that the Marianas remains ready to deliver the world-class experiences travelers expect tomorrow.”

So far in Fiscal Year 2026 the Marianas has received 64,656 visitors as of February, 20% lower than the same period last fiscal year.