Thousands cancel CNMI holidays after Soudelor

There have been mass cancellations of tourist bookings in the Northern Marianas after Typhoon Soudelor caused major damage especially to Saipan.

Hundreds of people have sought federal aid and remain without water and electricity after the storm hit nine days ago.

The Marianas Visitors' Authority says 7,000 prospective visitors have cancelled their trips to what is now a disaster zone.

The Authority's managing director, Perry Tenorio, says the typhoon caused the shutdown of night flights, which sparked many cancellations by tourists from countries like China, South Korea, and Japan.