(MVA) — According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota grew 766% percent to 10,367 visitors in July 2022, compared to 1,197 visitors received in July 2021. So far this fiscal year, 51,532 visitors have come to the Marianas compared to 3,707 visitors over the same period last fiscal year.
July’s figure is about one-third the number of average monthly arrivals prior to the pandemic, but it marks a significant increase in arrivals since July 2021 at the implementation of MVA’s Tourism Resumption Investment Plan or TRIP.
A total of 8,444 visitors arrived from South Korea in July 2022, compared to only 86 visitors in July 2021. There were 61 flights to the Marianas in the month compared to six flights in July 2021. Bookings in July and August have been dampened by rising Covid cases in South Korea, making people hesitant to travel. MVA is countering the dip in flight operation by raising awareness of the Marianas through digital, outdoor, and social media ads and a sales promotions with travel agents to make the Marianas the first choice for people when travel demand picks up.
The Marianas received 109 visitors from Japan in July 2022, compared to only three visitors in July 2021. Beginning on Sept. 1, 2022, the TRIP program will incentivize three weekly flights from Narita to Saipan by United Airlines. The program will continue for an initial six months as MVA and tourism partners work to stabilize the Japan market.
At this time, Japan is experiencing its seventh wave of increase in the number of Covid cases, resulting in travel apprehension.
Other challenges include a strong U.S. dollar, costing Japanese visitors more to purchase the same amount of service compared to before the pandemic. Also, as direct flights with Japan have been infrequent for most of the last four years, MVA is working on rebuilding public awareness of the destination, especially among the younger generation.
The Marianas also received 835 visitors from Guam, 670 visitors from U.S. and a combined 321 additional visitors from all other destinations in July.
