(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority reports that visitor arrivals to the Marianas totaled 12,865 in March 2026, an 8% decrease compared to 13,981 visitors in March 2025.
South Korea
South Korea held its place as the destination’s top visitor source market, with 7,411 arrivals in March 2026, a 17% decline from March 2025.
The Marianas received 60 flights from Korea this March compared to 80 flights in March 2025. Jeju Air began a temporary suspension of its daily flight on March 29.
Following several months of promotion, Skechers Saipan Marathon on March 7 attracted 782 registrants, with 37% from Korea.
MVA Korea partnered with a wide range of partners, including travel agencies, running platforms, celebrities, and influencers, collectively generating over 327,000 views and nearly 9,000 comments on these partners’ social posts.
MVA also organized familiarization tours for representatives of 12 major media outlets and 8 travel agencies highlighting “sportscation” and immersive travel experiences on Saipan and Rota.
Based on a survey, both groups expressed 4.8/5 overall satisfaction with the destination. Following the typhoon, Jeju Air has opened bookings online to resume direct Seoul-Saipan flights beginning June 20.
Japan market
Visitor arrivals from Japan remained steady with 1,122 arrivals in March 2026 compared to 1,121 in March 2025. In March, promotional activities were conducted in Japan toward the development of golf tourism through the Japan Circuit Ladies Saipan familiarization tour, as well as at an overseas travel fair hosted by HIS, a major Japanese travel agency. United Airlines is scheduled to resume its three weekly direct flights from Tokyo Narita to Saipan on August 2.
China market
Arrivals from China reached 1,348 in March compared to 1,471 arrivals a year ago, an 8% decrease compared to last year.
The decline reflects continued air access, pricing, and broader market recovery challenges affecting the China market.
The market is dependent on continued smooth operations of the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, 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. Hong Kong Airlines is expected to resume Hong Kong-Saipan service in July, with the exact date to be confirmed. MVA will share further updates once the schedule is finalized.
Other markets
Additional visitor arrivals in March included:
Guam: 866 visitors
United States: 1,293 visitors
Other Markets (Combined): 825 visitors
Philippine Airlines commenced twice weekly direct Manila-Saipan on March 29, 2026. The flights are anticipated to increase arrivals from the Philippines and connecting cities, including mainland China. The Marianas also received one cruise ship arrival in March.
