According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota registered 27,005 visitors last month compared to 24,128 in May 2009.
Arrivals from Korea registered 47 percent growth in May 2010 over the previous May at 9,643 visitors. This marks the sixth consecutive month of double digit increases from this primary tourism market. Arrivals included over 400 Koreans making “MICE” — Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions — travel to the Northern Marianas stimulated by MVA’s MICE support program.
According to MVA, the outlook for the growth of Korea arrivals in 2010 continues to look positive.
The secondary market of China nearly saw arrivals in May 2010 almost double to 3,159 visitors, a 99 percent increase over the same month last year. The increase was supported by continued charter flights four times a week from Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Arrivals from Japan were down 11 percent compared to May 2009 with 11,424 visitors. In April 2010 the Northern Marianas lost two daily flights from the cities of Nagoya and Osaka, Japan. This suspension resulted in a 44 percent decline in air seats per day. Arrivals from Japan are projected to rebound from June once daily flights from Nagoya are re-instated, with further growth projected in July when daily flights from Osaka are re-instated.
Military ship arrivals in May helped pushed arrivals from the United States up 30 percent to 746 visitors, while all other markets were down.
