According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, total visitor arrivals to the CNMI reached 32,908 last month compared to 32,352 in March 2008.
However, the CNMI continues to feel the repercussions of reduced worldwide travel, as arrives for the fiscal year to date are down -1.21 percent compared to the same period last year.
The CNMI held its own in its primary source market of Japan, posting a 4 percent increase to 18,852 visitors over March 2008.
“Although the March increase from Japan was only incremental, it was quite significant compared to declining travel trends happening around the world,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio.
“Japan, itself, lost 41 percent of its own visitors in Feb. 2009, so in that context, it’s commendable that the NMI was able to grow 4 percent from this market in March, especially with the termination of Northwest Airlines Osaka-Saipan flight in early March. With far fewer Japanese traveling abroad compared to last March, it helps that we promote the Northern Marianas as a quick, short-haul destination.”
However, arrivals from the CNMI’s primary market of Korea posted a fifth straight month of double digit decline to -23 percent or 5,532 visitors from Korea in March 2009.
Overall, outbound departures of Korean dropped 34 percent in February 2009 compared to February 2008.
The Korean economy, with contracting domestic demand and worsening employment conditions, continues in its recessionary phase.
Although the won strengthened against the dollar to finish the month at 1,412.5, Korean purchasing power is still much lower than last year.
The upward trend in arrivals from Russia since last fiscal year was tempered in March, registering only 3 percent growth to 709 visitors.
“In addition to Russian outbound travel being down 30 percent, the buying power of the ruble against the dollar dropped 3 percent last month. That’s a significant shift,” said Tenorio. “Also, travel agents had some difficulty in March confirming air seats between Korea and Saipan for travelers originating in Russia.”
China continued its downward trend, with a -13 percent drop in arrivals to 1,955. Guam, the Philippines and Taiwan also registered fewer arrivals at 1,369 (-17 percent), 143 (-2 percent) and 2 (-90 percent).
Arrivals from the U.S. rose 73 percent to 2,768, largely due to visiting military ships.
Visiting cruise ships also boosted the “Other Areas” category of visitors 131 percent to 1,578.
MVA is anticipating increased arrivals during the summer, with Continental Micronesia’s announcement this week of double-daily scheduled charter flights from Narita to Saipan from July 18 to Sept. 23, 2009.
