(Marianas Visitors Authority) — Arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota grew 1,618% percent to 10,411 visitors in June 2022, compared to 606 visitors received in June 2021. The figure marks the first month of arrivals exceeding 10,000 visitors since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The figure is about one-third the number of average monthly arrivals prior to the pandemic, but it marks continued growth from the primary source market of South Korea since July 2021 at the implementation of the MVA’s Tourism Resumption Investment Plan or TRIP. A total of 7,335 visitors arriving from South Korea in June 2022, compared to only two visitors in June 2021. Also, there were 54 flights to the Marianas in the month compared to 2021, including increased flight service by T’way from twice weekly in May to four times a week in June. Since June 1, non-vaccinated children under the age of 12 have been exempted from returning quarantine in Korea, allowing families to more conveniently travel to the Marianas on summer vacation and holidays.
The Marianas received 89 visitors from Japan in June 2022, compared to only wo visitors in June 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. 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 rare 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 955 visitors from Guam, 835 visitors from U.S. and a combined 1,197 additional visitors from all other destinations in June. These arrivals include a large number of athletes, officials, and fans during the Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games in June.
