(MVA) — According to monthly statistics from the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota decreased 23% to 12,254 visitors in November 2024, compared to 15,815 visitors received in November 2023.
In November, visitor arrivals from South Korea registered 8,868, 32% lower than 13,026 visitors received in November 2023. The Marianas received 60 flights from Korea this November compared to 90 flights last year. The suspension of Asiana Airlines operations to Saipan since July and the suspension of Jeju Air’s night flight from Seoul beginning Oct. 28 negatively affected arrivals. However, arrivals are anticipated to receive a boost beginning this month with the reinstatement of the Jeju’s second daily flight beginning Dec. 8 and the commencement of temporary twice weekly charter flights from Busan beginning Dec. 20.
Visitor arrivals from Japan registered 479 in November 2024 compared to 545 visitors in November 2023, a 12% decrease. While the desire to travel abroad is gradually recovering, the strong U.S. dollar and weaker Japanese yen continue to influence travelers to choose non-U.S. or domestic destinations, as well a continuing preference for domestic travel among Japanese travelers.
China arrivals in November 2024 reached 800 compared to 244 arrivals in November 2023, an increase of 228%. Prior to the pandemic, China was the second largest source market of visitors to the Marianas with multiple direct flights a week from five cities. Hong Kong Airlines now flies twice weekly between Hong Kong and Saipan.
In November, the Marianas also received 1,145 visitors from Guam, 639 visitors from the U.S. and a combined 323 visitors from all other markets.