Japanese tourists aren’t compelled to visit Saipan

The Japanese market, currently the CNMI’s only tourism market aside from Korea, is facing a few challenges that are expected to result in a significant drop in arrivals in the next few months.

Last week, Marianas Visitors Authority Japan representative Takashi Ichikura presented updates to the MVA board of directors about the conditions of the market as of late.

In his presentation, Ichikura shared some good news and some bad news, but the most concerning was that due to a number of reasons, Japanese tourists aren’t compelled to travel to the Marianas right now.

“Due to slow overseas travel recovery, weak Japanese Yen, compounded with the unfavorable United Airlines flight schedule which customers must pay for three nights for actually a two-day stay in the Marianas, our tour package lost its appeal with its price. Customers cannot find a compelling reason to travel now, and there are currently no travel materials in the Marianas that makes them feel they need to travel now,” Ichikura said.

In addition, Saipan Tribune learned that in the next few months, trip bookings from Japan to Saipan is expected to drop nearly 40% compared to the previous months.

In an interview with MVA managing director Chris Concepcion, he said he isn’t surprised as bookings tend to drop this time of year.

“However, we are trying to reverse the trend by launching a new campaign which is essentially entails businesses in the CNMI and members of the MVA are giving incentives in the form of discounts and promotions to entice Japanese visitors to come to the CNMI in order to avail of these special discounts and programs,” he said.

Concepcion also shared that MVA is working with its Japan partners on a raffle drawing that would provide essentially a free trip to Saipan for one lucky individual each month.

“The Hotel Association of the Marianas has stepped in to provide complimentary rooms that we are using as raffle prizes while United has stepped in to provide complimentary tickets to send an individual to Saipan each month. The lucky winner of this raffle draw will be able to come to the CNMI for free, all expenses covered and when they get here, they have all these other discounts on activities, shopping, restaurants, and more. Theres a lot of things going on,” he said.

“The goal is to increase and boost the bookings with these campaigns,” Concepcion added.