Overview:
CNMI Gov. David M. Apatang is signaling a possible policy shift as he steers the commonwealth through fiscal strain, saying it may be time to revisit the China tourism market. Citing struggling visitor and hospitality industries, Apatang told the Pacific Island Times he is open to recalibrating the CNMI’s tourism strategy to revive arrivals and stabilize the economy.
SAIPAN, 05 DECEMBER 2025 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Gov. David M. Apatang is steering the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands through economic uncertainty with a pragmatic approach to governance.
“I’m not perpetually stuck in a single leadership style,” Apatang told the Pacific Island Times. “Different situations call for different ways of doing things.”
In economic policy, Apatang is seeking to depart from his predecessor’s approach. He signaled a potential shift in the tourism strategy, suggesting that the CNMI revisit its relationship with China.
“I believe the pivot from the China market is worth revisiting,” he said. “It may be a viable market to sustain our CNMI visitor and hospitality industries, which I am fully aware are seriously struggling to stay afloat.”
The Chinese tourism market made up 50 percent of the islands’ visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Two months after assuming office in 2023, Palacios announced his administration’s policy to reduce reliance on Chinese tourism and strengthen other Asian markets. The CNMI business community, however, was not pleased with the policy and has since advocated for reviving focus on the China market.
To stimulate economic activity, Apatang is working to restore visitor arrivals to pre-pandemic levels and improve the business climate. His administration is streamlining application and permitting processes and offering incentives, such as favorable tax and land-lease terms, to attract new investors.
Since taking office on 23 July, Apatang has faced urgent fiscal challenges, including keeping the government operational amid declining revenues and rising costs.
“Of great challenge since becoming governor was trying to keep the CNMI government open and operating within available financial resources,” he said.
Apatang assumed full executive authority following the death of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios in July. He will serve Palacios’ unfinished term until 2027…. PACNEWS