(MVA) — The Marianas Visitors Authority reports that visitor arrivals to the Marianas totaled 15,495 in February 2026, a 2% decrease compared to 15,802 visitors in February 2025.
The destination continues to wrestle with a drastic reduction in air seat capacity over the last seven years, dropping from approximately 760,000 air seats in FY 2018 to 250,000 in FY 2025, a 67% overall loss. This includes a 60% loss of air seats from the top source market of Korea over the period, largely due to airline strategic decisions, currency disadvantages, and fierce destination competition. Air seats are also reduced compared to pre-pandemic levels after a complete loss of flights from mainland China – once another top source market for the Marianas – under geopolitical changes with the U.S.
South Korea
South Korea remained the destination’s top visitor source market, with 10,285 arrivals in February 2026, an 8% decline from February 2025. The Marianas received 72 flights from Korea in February 2026 compared to 84 flights last February. Jeju Air and T’way Air operated daily flights from Seoul Incheon. Two weekly seasonal charters from both Seoul Incheon and Busan were also received in February due to high demand. On Feb. 10-11, the MVA introduced the new Marianas global branding campaign to approximately 50 key industry partners and journalists at the special event, “The Marianas, Far From Ordinary Trip,” presenting a new travel paradigm centered on meaningful experiences beyond everyday life. The program also highlighted the March Skechers Saipan Marathon 2026, promoting sportscation and immersive travel experiences while also showcasing the Marianas’ unique and differentiated value as a destination. Jeju will have a temporary suspension of its daily flight from March 29 to April 30, and T’Way will suspend daily flights for the summer season beginning on May 5, citing increased fuel costs.
Japan Market
Visitor arrivals from Japan reached 1,025 arrivals in February 2026 compared to 1,015 in February 2025, a 1% increase. The MVA continued to work with major travel agencies JTB and HIS to promote and sell package tours to the Marianas in support of United Airlines’ three weekly direct flights from Tokyo Narita to Saipan.
China Market
Arrivals from China reached 2,235 in February compared to 1,684 arrivals a year ago, a 33% increase compared to last year. The increase is attributed to Lunar New Year holiday travel falling in February this year compared to January last year. Hong Kong Airlines is anticipated to double its flight service in May 2026 under the continued smooth operations of the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), 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.
Other Markets
Additional visitor arrivals in February included:
Guam: 744 visitors
United States: 900 visitors
Other Markets (Combined): 306 visitors
Philippine Airlines will commence twice weekly direct Manila-Saipan flights on March 29, 2026. The flights are anticipated to increase arrivals from the Philippines and connecting cities, including mainland China.
