According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota registered 36,220 visitors last month, up 10 percent versus the 32,908 arrivals welcomed in March 2009.
Arrivals from Japan posted strong gains at 15 percent higher than March 2009 with 21,685 visitors. The growth from the Japan market is largely attributed to more air seats from Osaka than a year ago. A year ago, the NMI had two daily flights from Narita, one daily flight from Nagoya, and three weekly flights from Osaka. In March 2010, however, Osaka flights were a daily occurrence, translating to a 129 percent increase in air seats from Osaka during the month and confirming once again the importance of ensuring daily airlift from this key market. The increase in arrivals was also aided by the triple crown Saipan Marathon, Xterra Saipan Championship, and Tagaman Triathlon held in March this year.
The Northern Marianas, however, is already feeling the effects of the temporary suspension of Delta Airlines flights between Nagoya and Saipan and Asiana Airlines between Osaka and Saipan in April.
MVA said it is looking forward to a total of 17 charter flights to the Northern Marianas from Japan during the Golden Week holiday in late April and early May. Asiana Airlines will operate seven charter flight from Narita, six from Osaka and two from Hiroshima during the holiday week. Delta Airlines will also operate two special charter flights from Narita.
Arrivals from Korea also registered a remarkable 48 percent growth in March 2010 over the previous March at 8,185 visitors. Riding the wave of economic recovery in the nation, available air seats to the NMI increased 17 percent — or by 12,059 seats — in March 2010 over the previous March. As Korea’s economy continues to stabilize and outbound travel returns to normal, the MVA projects a continued recovery of the Korea market for 2010.
Bolstered by twice as many charter flights, China arrivals were also up 63 percent to 3,196 visitors. In March 2009 the NMI received two flights per week from Shanghai, while the islands now receive four flights per week from Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Arrivals from the secondary market of Russia were down 30 percent to 496 visitors. Guam and Philippines were down last month, as were the United States and Other Areas. In March 2009 the NMI received 3,326 visitors from two military ships and one cruise ship from the United States and Other Areas, compared to no visitor ship arrivals in March 2010.
