TOURIST arrivals rate for March plunged by 15 percent, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Except for South Korea, the figures for all major and secondary markets of the CNMI tourism industry declined last month, MVA statistics showed.
“Visitor arrivals in March 2002 registered a 14.69 percent decline (compared to) the same month in 2001, to a total of 37,869 visitors. Arrivals from Korea is the only market that recorded tremendous growth,” acting MVA Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente said in the latest monthly arrivals report released yesterday.
Benavente said Japan, the top market of the industry, registered a 21 percent decline in March because charter flights were reduced from six to three.
She added that seat-capacity from Japan was also reduced due to low demand. Sea arrivals were also low because only one ship visited Saipan in March.
“JAL changed its aircraft from 747 to DC-10. However, during high peak periods, JAL uses 747 aircraft. In addition, there is lower seats capacity from Osaka. JAL rerouted its direct flights from Osaka via Guam, which took place from Nov. 1, 2001 through March 19, 2002,” Benavente said.
Arrivals from Korea last month totaled 6,183, a 77 percent increase compared to the previous year’s record for the same month.
