MVA continues promotional activities, feds ban hidden changes
MVA launches another creative relationship
The Marianas Visitors Authority signed a “strategic agreement” to promote the 2025 Saipan Marathon with Runable – a running platform – on Dec. 11.
The two companies will work together to effectively inform Korean runners of the Saipan Marathon, according to Runnable.
The signing ceremony of an MOU was attended by Christopher A. Concepcion, managing director of MVA; Ryu Young-ho, CEO of Runable, and Kim Yong-nam, CEO of MVA’s Korea office.
Photo courtesy of the Marianas Visitors Association.
MVA and the AK Toyota dealership in Saipan promoted the Northern Mariana Islands in person at the Toyota Group’s annual employee appreciation Thanks Sale held on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 in Nagoya, reaching an estimated 15,000 employees that the campaign launched in Nagoya will reach.
Hidden fees to become illegal in US
The Federal Trade Commission announced Dec. 17 a final rule banning hotels, ticketing agencies and short-term rental companies from including hidden junk fees in their total price.
The Final Rule requires businesses to display the total price, including all additional fees, more prominently than other pricing information, and will take effect 120 days after Dec. 17.
The FTC estimated that the Junk Fees Rule will save consumers up to 53 million hours per year of wasted time spent searching for the total price for live-event tickets and short-term lodging.
Resort fees originated in North America and are unpopular with some tourists, since they are a charge for services that are complimentary in other destinations, like WiFi. In addition, the cost can be significant with $30-plus to $50-plus per day in Hawaii. Parking can be an additional daily charge for guests.
Some hotels in Hawaii do not have a resort charge, like the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu – popular with Guam visitors, with an adjacent shopping center. The Ala Moana tells visitors they can use savings “to spend on the things you love, whether that is on a shopping spree, restaurant dining, activities and tours, or for something entirely different … .” mbj