According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota registered 37,850 visitors last month compared to 35,594 in February 2009.
Arrivals from the primary market of Korea registered 9,603 visitors in February, a 16 percent increase over February 2009, when the weak Korean economy limited outbound travel to all destinations. With Korea’s economy now in strong recovery mode, arrivals from Korea have posted double digit growth for the past three consecutive months. There was also more air seats available from Korea to the Northern Marianas in February 2010 compared to February 2009.
The secondary market of China posted a substantial 168 percent increase to 6,286 visitors in February. During the month, the Northern Marianas welcomed a total of seven charter flights from Beijing due to high travel demand during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday. In addition, regular charter flights from Shanghai and Guanzhou were in operation this February. Last year the Lunar New Year fell in January and charter flights from only Shanghai were in operation.
Arrivals from Japan were down 13 percent compared to February 2009 with 19,271 visitors, a decline largely influenced by fewer available air seats from Kansai. Arrivals from Kansai region posted a 51 percent decline, as Delta Airline’s pullout from the market resulted in a 19 percent decline in available air seats. However, Asiana Airlines continues to operate between Kansai and Saipan. Arrivals from Nagoya were nearly unchanged at -1 percent, while arrival from Tokyo posted a 3 percent increase.
Meanwhile, the Northern Marianas is bracing for the temporary suspension of Delta Airlines flights between Nagoya and Saipan in April, a move announced by the airline due to low forward bookings and Delta’s need for the aircraft elsewhere.
Russian arrivals were 64 percent lower than they were last year at 181 visitors, while arrivals were up from the United States (up 62 percent to 997), due in part to one visiting military vessel with a crew of 320. Arrivals from Other Areas were also up 26 percent to 226.
