(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority reports that visitor arrivals to the Marianas totaled 10,793 in Oct. 2025, a 29% decrease compared to 15,226 visitors in Oct. 2024.
The destination continues to wrestle with a drastic reduction in air seat capacity since before the pandemic, dropping from approximately 760,000 air seats in FY 2018 to 250,000 in FY 2025, a 67% overall loss. This includes a 60% loss of air seats from the top source market of Korea over the period, largely due to airline strategic decisions, currency disadvantages, and fierce destination competition. Air seats are also reduced compared to pre-pandemic levels after a complete loss of flights from mainland China — once another top source market for The Marianas — under geopolitical changes with the U.S.
South Korea market
South Korea remained the destination’s top visitor source market, with 6,905 arrivals in Oct. 2025, a 40% decline from Oct. 2024. The Marianas received 59 flights from Seoul in Oct. 2025 compared to 88 flights last October. Flight operations have been unstable for over a year, with lone air carriers Jeju Air and T’way Air frequently suspending or reducing flights. However, T’way has recently committed to operate 16 charter flights from Busan to Saipan during peak winter season beginning in January, in addition to its daily flights from Seoul, a bright spot for air service. In November, G-market and Auction, Korea’s leading e-commerce platforms, collaborated with MVA to offer special promotional prices on Saipan travel products for the month. The promotion features several popular tour packages and air-tel products, along with discount coupons. This campaign celebrates the launch of MVA’s new global brand, and a series of integrated events will be rolled out under the new brand message, “Far From Ordinary.” As part of this joint promotion, a social media event also will be held on G-Market and MVA Korea’s platforms, awarding 200 winners with prizes including airline tickets between Incheon and Saipan, running-related items, and travel goods.
Japan market
Visitor arrivals from Japan reached 845 in Oct. 2025 compared to 595 in Oct. 2024, a 42% increase and the third consecutive month of growth from the market. United Airlines operates direct flights from Tokyo Narita to Saipan three times weekly and began a more favorable flight schedule beginning Oct. 25. MVA is targeting young, first-time Japanese travelers, mid-senior repeat travelers interested in golf and diving, and sports enthusiasts. Following a business meeting with JTB in Saipan in August, JTB has begun selling Marianas travel packages with over 100 confirmed bookings to date. The tourism office also continues to encourage participation in its Marianas Revival Project aimed at rebuilding ties of government, business, tourism, cultural exchange, and community with Japan.
China market
Arrivals from China reached 1,113 in October compared to 1,175 arrivals a year ago, a 5% decrease compared to last year. The load factor, or percentage of seats sold, on Hong Kong Airlines’ twice weekly direct flights from Hong Kong to Saipan remains healthy, and the market is anticipated to recover in FY 2026 provided that the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program continues without further interruption as experienced earlier this year. EVS-TAP is a restricted sub-program of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that allows prescreened nationals of the People’s Republic of China to travel to the U.S. destination without a visa under specified conditions. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, China comprised about 44% of visitors to the Marianas, with direct flights from multiple mainland cities. The stability of EVS-TAP is seen by many stakeholders as essential to the full revival of the market.
Other markets
Additional visitor arrivals in Oct. 2025 included:
Guam: 891 visitors
United States: 596 visitors
Other markets (combined): 443 visitors
In November the Marianas launched a new global brand, “Far From Ordinary,” to help build destination demand by highlighting the unique appeal of the Marianas’ culture, diversity, environment, history, adventure offerings, and more. The public and private sectors are rallying behind the brand to increase visitor satisfaction by offering more experiences, products, and services that connect visitors with the authentic, Far From Ordinary aspects of life in the islands.
