November 2009 visitor arrivals to the Northern Mariana Islands were down 29 percent compared to November 2008, a mark of low travel demand in the month, as well as continuing economic dampeners in primary markets.
According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota registered 23,008 visitors last month compared to 39,690 in November 2008. So far, the fiscal year total to date is 30 percent fewer visitors than the same period in 2008. The drop in arrivals was forecasted by the MVA three months ago for these travel “shoulder” months before the peak yearend holidays.
Arrivals from the Northern Marianas' primary market of Japan were down 40 percent compared to November 2008 with 10,553 visitors. The economic depression in Japan continues to dull outbound travel demand, results in a 48-percent reduction in air seats in November. However, the yearend holidays are expected to bring a turnaround in arrivals, with the restoration of flights from Nagoya and Osaka from the current three times a week to four flights a week. Also, 14 charter flights from five cities in Japan are anticipated for the end of December.
Arrivals from Korea were 23 percent lower in November 2009 than the previous November, registering 6,892 visitors. This is also attributed to lower travel demand in the country. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the total number of Korean outbound travelers in October 2009 was 714,880, a decrease of 23.4 percent compared to the same month of 2008. Accordingly, airline seats on the Incheon-Saipan route were decreased by 18 percent in November 2009 compared to last year.
Russian arrivals were 18 percent off their November 2008 mark, posting 374 visitors. However, the People's Republic of China saw a 34-percent increase in arrivals to 2,742. Charter flights from China were temporarily suspended following federal takeover of immigration in the Northern Marianas on Nov. 28. However, charter flights will resume on Dec. 18, and visitors from Russian and China without a U.S. visa are still being allowed to visit the Northern Marianas through the Department of Homeland Security parole process.
Arrivals from the Philippines and Taiwan were up to 210 and 43 visitors, respectively. Meanwhile, arrivals were down from Guam (-7 percent to 1,468), the United States (-43 percent to 496) and Other Areas (-36 percent to 230).
Beginning Dec. 18, arrivals are expected to pick up for the holiday season. Hana Tour, one of the major travel agents in Korea, is expecting a 54-percent increase in outbound travelers compared to December of last year. Also, major airlines including Asiana Airlines have reportedly already booked all air seats for early December.
Based on flight and air seat projections for 2010 provided by its airline partners, the MVA is projecting a 3.8-percent increase in arrivals from Japan and a 30-percent increase in arrivals from Korea next year. Japan and Korea comprise 80 percent of the tourism market for the Northern Marianas. (MVA)
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