(MVA) — According to monthly statistics from the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota decreased 10% to 21,613 visitors in August 2024, compared to 24,128 visitors received in August 2023. While monthly arrivals are 55% lower compared to pre-pandemic levels of August 2019, when arrivals reached 47,489 visitors, fiscal year-to-date arrivals are 27% higher compared to last year, showing continued gradual recovery.
Visitor arrivals from South Korea registered 16,031 in August, 21% lower than August 2023. In August 2023 the Marianas had received an extraordinarily high number of visitors and flights from South Korea — 147 flights from Seoul-Incheon and Busan combined — when flights to Guam were transferred to Saipan following a major typhoon in Guam. August 2024 saw 111 flights from Seoul-Incheon marking a return to average visitor arrivals for the month. Visitors from Korea comprise 75% of all arrivals to the Marianas.
Visitor arrivals from Japan registered 800 in August 2024 compared to 960 visitors in August 2023, a 17% decrease. The strong U.S. dollar and weaker Japanese yen continue to influence travelers to choose non-U.S. or domestic destinations. United Airlines flies three times weekly from Tokyo-Narita to Saipan as MVA works to remain top-of-mind among consumers until conditions for overseas travel improve.
China arrivals in August 2024 reached 2,319 compared to 1,055 arrivals in August 2023. Prior to the pandemic, China was the second largest source market of visitors to the Marianas with multiple direct flights a week from five cities. Hong Kong Airlines now flies twice weekly between Hong Kong and Saipan.
In August the Marianas also received 1,163 visitors for the United States, including two ship arrivals, 852 visitors from Guam, and a combined 448 visitors from all other markets.
