(MVA) — According to preliminary monthly statistics from the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to Saipan, Tinian and Rota decreased 8% to 19,684 visitors in June 2024, compared to 21,287 visitors received in June 2023. Monthly arrivals were estimated to be 53% lower compared to the pre-pandemic levels of June 2019 when arrivals reached 42,076 visitors.
MVA is awaiting final validated arrival statistics compiled on the CNMI Division of Customs declaration form that is filled out for each arriving passenger upon entry into the Commonwealth.
Visitor arrivals from South Korea registered 13,907 in June, 22% lower than June 2023. In June 2023, the Marianas had received an extraordinarily high number of visitors and flights — 115 — from South Korea when flights to Guam were transferred to Saipan following a major typhoon in Guam. June 2024 reflects 98 flights and a return to average visitor arrivals for the month. During the peak summer season, Jeju Air has added an additional flight from July 17 to August 18 to capture demand during high peak summer season, making three daily flights on the Incheon- Saipan route by Jeju and one daily flight by T’Way. Visitors from Korea comprise 75% of all arrivals to the Marianas.
Visitor arrivals from Japan registered 620 in June 2024 compared to 939 visitors in June 2023, a 34% decrease. United Airlines flies three times weekly from Tokyo-Narita to Saipan. The strong U.S. dollar and weaker Japanese yen continue to influence travelers to choose non-U.S. or domestic destinations at this time.
With the advent in late April of twice weekly direct flights from Hong Kong to Saipan via Hong Kong Airlines, China has marked its highest monthly arrivals since before the pandemic when direct flights were halted. China arrivals in June 2024 reached 1,927 compared to 503 arrivals in June 2023. 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.
In June 2024, the Marianas also received 1,662 visitors for the United States, 995 visitors from Guam, and a combined 573 visitors from all other markets.
