You read correctly, the management of the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and casino and the Marianas Visitors Authority in conjunction with Asia Pacific Poker Championship, Inc. yesterday announced the details of an event designed to support the Bisita Marianas 2007 campaign—the 2007 Asia Pacific Poker Championship. The tournament will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27 at the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino.

MVA’s Bisita Marianas 2007 campaign is a program targeted to bring Guam residents as well as military personnel to the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

Premiere Poker Tournament

According to a press release, the Asia Pacific Poker Championship is the premiere poker tournament in the Western Pacific. It will be a 3-day event starting with an early bird tournament on May 25th. The format of the tournament will be no-limit Texas Hold ‘em. A prize pool of over $100,000.00 will be up for grabs and the winner will be flown and entered into the world series of poker main event in Las Vegas this July.

Alfred Yue, general manger of Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino said they are proud to host the Asia Pacific Poker Championship. “The organizers and sponsors have assured a quality tournament that is sure to bring notoriety to the CNMI for many years to come.”

Play Poker, Visit Tinian

Michael Untalan from the office of the Mayor in Tinian stated, “On behalf of our honorable Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas, we are proud to be sponsors of the Asian Pacific Poker Championships. We’re very thankful that it’s going to be held in Tinian; it’s a perfect opportunity to showcase our island, our crystal clear water and our white sandy beaches, and the wonderful Tinian Dynasty Hotel.”

Untalan extended his invitation for everyone to come and visit Tinian, along with the already established military sites; new tourist sites are in the planning. “On the way to the Dynasty, we’ll have 20 concessions and a brand new amphitheatre. Also to focus on the natural beauty of Tinian, the Mayor will be opening up a wildlife park which will be a way to interact with nature and live animals running around in a controlled environment.”

The Asia Pacific Poker Championship is a concrete example of how regional tourism can be driven by a private sector initiative. Tydingco added, “With the support of the Marianas Visitors authority, the Tinian mayor’s Office, the Tinian Gaming commission and companies that are stakeholders in the Marianas. The memorial day weekend event will help boost both Saipan and Tinian’s tourism arrivals in the short-term, and over the long term, raise the bar and highlight one of the many assets that the Marianas can showcase to our international markets through the media attention it will bring.”

“Having residents visit our islands emphasizes our connection as family and friends from the Marianas. We are pleased to showcase our offerings and look forward to continued inter-island travel between the Marianas,” said MVA managing director Perry Taitano. “We also enjoy a strong relationship with the military. Offering them a relaxing and fun filled experience.”

“Today is a very important day in terms of Guam’s history, March 6, 1521 is when Magellan sailed and discovered the Marianas for the world. We thought this would be a great opportunity for the people of Guam to rediscover the Marianas as a great place to play, have fun and help each other bring up the economy,” explained David Tydingco of Asia Pacific Poker Championship, Inc.

Interested players can register at the Discover Guam offices (directly across from the Guam Visitors Bureau) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting the website at www.asiapacificpokerchampionship.net.