(MVA) — According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota grew 148% to 24,128 visitors in August 2023, compared to 9,746 visitors received in August 2022.
In Aug. 2019, prior to the pandemic, there were 47,489 arrivals to the CNMI. In Aug. 2018, arrivals totaled 56,553.
In Aug. 2023, visitor arrivals from South Korea reached 20,319 compared to 8,111 in August last year. Strong demand in Korea had generated an abundance of air service to the Marianas by Jeju Air, T’Way, and Asiana Airline from Seoul and four weekly flights by Jeju Air from Busan through October. So far this fiscal year, visitors from South Korea comprise 82% of all arrivals to the Marianas and even higher during the summer peak month of August at 84%. Additionally, load factor — or the number of air seats sold compared to the number available — has averaged over 82% on all flights. However, Asiana Airlines and Jeju Air (Busan) have announced a reduction in air seats beginning in on Oct. 29, with Asiana suspending its four weekly flights through Dec. 19, 2023.
The Marianas received 960 visitors from Japan in August 2023 compared to 148 visitors in August 2022. In its marketing efforts, MVA continues to face the obstacles of a strong U.S. dollar and a Japan national travel discount program that offers up to 20% discount to encourage domestic — rather than outbound — travel. Also, many Japanese are still hesitant to travel due to fears of Covid, especially as a large percentage of Japanese children are not vaccinated.
China arrivals were at 1,055 compared to 31 arrivals in August 2022. Prior to the pandemic, China was one of the top source markets for the Marianas. Most visitors from China are FITs arriving via Seoul and Tokyo. The China National Tourism Administration reinstated the Marianas on its Approved Destination Status list in August, allowing package tours and charter flights to the destination once again. However, the number of flights allowed between China and U.S. is still extremely low, unless the U.S. Department of Transportation approves a separate number of flights allowed to the Marianas, as before the pandemic.
Overall, visitor arrivals to the Marianas have recovered 45% year-to-date compared to FY 2019 before the pandemic. In August 2023, the Marianas also received 861 visitors from Guam, 609 visitors from the United States, and a combined 324 visitors from all other markets.
