Taijeron says passion, persistence define MVA legacy amid tourism headwinds

As she steps down as managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Jamika Taijeron said she hopes her legacy will be remembered not necessarily through a single project, but through perseverance during one of the tourism agency’s most difficult stretches in recent years.

“This past year has been extremely challenging with many external factors coming into play,” Taijeron said in an interview with Marianas Press, citing instability in the Korea market, challenges in Japan, and disruptions tied to the stalled CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program affecting China arrivals.

Asked what she considered her biggest contribution during her tenure, Taijeron said it was “doing the best to hang in there and tackle each challenge as they come” while strengthening relationships within the tourism industry.

She credited MVA staff across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota for working creatively despite limited resources.

“I’m proud to say that the team here has been working very hard on both Saipan, Tinian and Rota to think of different ways to tackle the challenges,” she said.

Taijeron said one of the initiatives she hoped would continue after her departure was the authority’s push to expand the Philippine market, including efforts tied to direct Manila-Saipan flights.

Prior to Super Typhoon Sinlaku, she said MVA had lined up content creators, travel groups, and Michelin-star chefs to participate in the upcoming Taste of the Marianas festivities.

“I really would like to see the Philippine market start to grow and support the Philippine Airlines direct flights from Manila,” Taijeron said.

She also expressed hope that plans for a future cultural and visitors experience center would move forward, saying such a facility is “something that is lacking on the island.”

During last Mat 27’s MVA board meeting, board members reaffirmed support for the CNMI’s continued participation in the Japan Association of Travel Agents expo, or JATA.

Taijeron said the Japan market remains important because it is currently the only market showing year-over-year growth for the destination.

“We need to show the Japan market and the people of Japan that we’re here,” she said. “We are different than what they had experienced years ago and they should come and see us again.”

When asked how she hoped people would remember her leadership at MVA, Taijeron pointed to her passion for showcasing the CNMI as a unique destination beyond its traditional source markets.

“I really honestly feel that there is a lot of potential to be a niche destination that people from around the world would want to come and visit,” she said.

She highlighted recent promotional efforts featuring the Northern Islands, including Pagan and Alamagan, saying each island offers a distinct experience that deserves global attention.

Taijeron’s last official day with MVA will be May 31. She said she tendered her resignation during the board’s April 8 meeting.

She said the family’s move to Guam was prompted by a professional opportunity for her husband that would benefit both his career growth and their family.

“This has already been in the works before the typhoon,” she said, adding that the storm accelerated their relocation plans after her children were enrolled in school in Guam.

Though emotional about leaving Saipan, Taijeron said the family still considers the island home and intends to return in the future.

“I would always love to contribute to anything that makes our island stand out,” she said. “In any capacity or in any way, I would love to be a continued contributor.”