The Marianas Visitors Authority, together with Century Tours and Tinian Dynasty Holiday, announced at a recent press conference held in Shanghai at the Hilton Hotel, that the charter from Shanghai to Saipan will resume every Monday and Friday starting June 22, 2007.

Further to the development of the China market, discussions are taking place to have an additional two flights from July 15, 2007.

The charter flights between Shanghai and Saipan have been operating for three years by Century Tours and Tinian Dynsty Holiday with China Eastern Airlines. With the resumption of the flights that were temporarily disrupted during the months of February through June, the Marianas is now back online and ready to welcome guests on direct flights. MVA board member Emma Villagomez and MVA marketing manager Wayne Pangelinan, along with partners from Tinian Dynasty Holiday and Century Tours, presented the news at the press conference in Shanghai.

As a U.S. island tourism destination, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Tinian and Rota) received the Approved Destination Status (ADS) from the China National Tourism Administration at the end of Year 2004. In the past two years through aggressive marketing tactics, more Chinese people have heard or are more aware of these islands. The visitor arrival from China increased rapidly, which has resulted mainly from the large-scale promotions in China.

"We jointly organized various press events in China. We also deliver the updates to media and travel trade in China keeping them apprised of our developments for the China market, whether by improving the quality, the experience, or simply insuring proper staffing is adequate to cater to all needs of our visitors," said Villagomez.