Japan continues to be the number one source market with 16,433 visitors during the month representing a 5 percent increase over May 2007.
Attributing to the success was the increase in seats out of Japan. In May 2007, there were direct flights from Tokyo and Nagoya. We now have three direct flights from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka representing a 20 percent increase in seat capacity out of Japan.
Korea has had an increase every month this fiscal year and May was no different. There were 9,925 Korean visitors’ which is a 31 percent increase. Year to date, Korea has had a 35% increase in arrivals. Again, additional air seats are a key factor to this growth.
Russian guests totaled 351 in May representing an increase of 156 percent.
Rota enjoyed a 23 percent increase in visitors in May due to charter flights going to the island from Japan. 1,088 guests were on Rota, which is just shy of the April arrivals, which were at 1,124. The charter flights began in April. Without them, the Rota arrivals would reflect single digit growth.
“The growth of our primary markets Japan and Korea are reflective of the commitment and support of our travel industry members,” said MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio. “As reported at Thursday’s general membership meeting the outlook of tourism is positive due to the increase in anticipated air seats out of Japan and Korea. We will continue to work closely with the public and private sector to continue to grow visitor arrivals.”
