Congresswoman King-Hinds Calls for Federal Government to Assist in Rebooting the CNMI’s Tourism Industry in Letter to Secretary Rubio

Washington – Congresswoman King-Hinds wrote a letter this week to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the federal government to assist the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) by leveraging American diplomatic power to secure favorable air service agreements and enhanced marketing efforts in key international markets. 

In her letter to Secretary Rubio, Congresswoman King-Hinds called for direct engagement with U.S. embassies in Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea to secure favorable air service agreements that increase visitor arrivals to the CNMI, recognizing tourism as the primary export of the CNMI under Section 603(d) of the Covenant and facilitate marketing and outreach efforts in these countries, helping the CNMI establish a stronger presence in international markets in accordance with Section 904(b) of the Covenant.

“The CNMI is a vital asset to the security of America’s Western Pacific Region,” said King-Hinds. “Yet, our economy remains in a prolonged downturn, with tourism arrivals still 57% below pre-pandemic levels and our businesses and workers struggling to recover. The federal government has a clear responsibility under the Covenant to support the CNMI’s economic development, and that must include assistance in expanding our tourism market.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, international visitors made up 42% of the CNMI’s total economy. However, since 2021, the CNMI has become almost entirely reliant on South Korean visitors, leaving the economy vulnerable to external disruptions. The risks of this overdependence were made clear after the Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 crash on December 29, 2024, which triggered widespread cancellations and further destabilized the already fragile tourism sector.

“The over-reliance on a single market exposes the CNMI to both economic and security risks,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “We need to diversify our tourism base, but to do that, we need a real discussion—one that isn’t just about banning markets and visitors. The State Department’s support in securing new air service agreements and expanding outreach in key markets is critical to our long-term success.”

Congresswoman King-Hinds cited two key provisions in the Covenant between the CNMI and the United States, which obligate the federal government to support the Commonwealth’s economic self-sufficiency:

Section 603(d) states that “the Government of the United States will seek to obtain from foreign countries favorable treatment for exports from the Northern Mariana Islands and will encourage other countries to consider the Northern Mariana Islands a developing territory.”

Section 904(b) states that “the United States will assist and facilitate the establishment by the Northern Mariana Islands of offices in the United States and abroad to promote local tourism and other economic or cultural interests of the Northern Mariana Islands.”

“These commitments were made nearly 50 years ago, but they have never been fully realized,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “If the CNMI is expected to serve as a stronghold of American influence in the Pacific, then it must also be supported as an economic pillar of prosperity and opportunity. The federal government must do more than just talk about restricting economic activity in the CNMI—the State Department can and should play a key role in ensuring that our economy thrives.”

Congresswoman King-Hinds reaffirmed that her request is not for a handout, but for the federal government to fulfill its commitments under the Covenant.

“By no means am I asking for a handout for the CNMI—we’re asking for a hand-up,” said Congresswoman King-Hinds. “Under the Covenant, the federal government has a responsibility to provide us with the tools to succeed. That is all I am asking for.”

She also stressed that supporting the CNMI’s economic recovery aligns with the broader interests of the United States. “These steps are not only in line with longstanding federal commitments but also serve broader U.S. strategic interests by ensuring that the CNMI remains a thriving economic and diplomatic hub in the Pacific,” she said. “A stronger CNMI means a stronger America in the region.”

Congresswoman King-Hinds is actively advocating for the CNMI’s recovery and economic resilience, recognizing the pivotal role tourism plays in long-term growth and security.