(MVA) — Arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota grew 102% to 21,287 visitors in June 2023, compared to 10,524 visitors received in June 2022. In June 2019, there were 42,076 visitors to the CNMI.
In June 2023, Visitor arrivals from South Korea reached 17,739 compared to 7,445 in the same period last year. Strong demand in Korea has generated an abundance of air service to the Marianas. Low-cost carrier Jeju Air has tripled its daily flights by adding one more daily flight beginning June 29, with flights from Busan launching Wednesday, July 19 and continuing through October. T’Way also has daily flights from Seoul and is adding eight charter flights during the summer high peak season. Full-service carrier Asiana Airlines will increase from four flights a week to daily service in July through August 2023. By the end of Fiscal Year 2023, available air seats from Korea are projected to be restored to 78% of the number available before the pandemic.
The Marianas received 939 visitors from Japan in June 2023 compared to 89 visitors in June 2022. Forward bookings into the summer continue to increase, and the market is projected to continue its recovery as United Airlines has just published their extended schedule through August 2024, supporting three flights a week from Tokyo. In its marketing efforts, the Marianas Visitors Authority continues to face the obstacles of a strong U.S. dollar and a Japan national travel discount program that offers up to 20% discount to encourage domestic — rather than outbound — travel. Also, many Japanese are also still hesitant to travel due to fears of Covid, especially as a large percentage of Japanese children are not vaccinated. In partnership with key travel agencies, MVA will continue its “Marianacation Super Deal Campaign” through August.
Overall, visitor arrivals to the Marianas have recovered 43% visitor arrivals year-to-date compared to FY 2019 before the pandemic. China, which rivalled South Korea as a top source market of The Marianas prior to the pandemic, registered 503 visitors arriving predominantly via Korea and Japan. In June the Marianas also received 813 visitors from the states, 689 visitors from Guam, and a combined 604 visitors from all other markets. Visitor arrivals also received a boost during June from the Oceania Cup and Oceania Masters Championship held in Saipan.
