ACCORDING to monthly statistics from the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota decreased 23% to 15,226 visitors in October 2024, compared to 19,731 visitors received in October 2023.
In October 2024, visitor arrivals from South Korea registered 11,533, 30% lower than 16,374 visitors received in October 2023. The Marianas received 88 flights from Korea this October compared to 133 flights last year. The suspension of Asiana Airlines operations to Saipan since July, along with the planned suspension of Jeju Air’s night flight starting on October 28, negatively affected arrivals. Also this year, the Chuseok holiday travel period took place in mid-September, while last year Chuseok occurred between September 29 and early October and National Foundation Day also fell in October. Furthermore, the shutdown of major Korean e-commerce platforms Tmon and WeMakePrice has continued to negatively affect overall outbound travel from Korea.
Visitor arrivals from Japan registered 595 in October 2024 compared to 375 visitors in October 2023, a 59% increase. 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 October 2024 reached 1,175 compared to 1,289 arrivals in October 2023, a decrease of 9%. 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 October the Marianas also received 930 visitors from Guam, 554 visitors from the U.S., and a combined 439 visitors from all other markets.
