Visitor arrivals up 45% in November 2023

According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota grew 45% to 15,800 visitors in November 2023, compared to 10,931 visitors received in November 2022.

However, arrivals are 60% lower than pre-pandemic levels of November 2019, when arrivals reached 39,717 visitors. In November 2019, 66% of total visitors were from Korea and 24% were from China, the second largest source market at the time. In November 2023, only 2% of all visitors are from China, underscoring the need to further expand The Marianas’ source market mix to increase arrival numbers and revenue generation.

Visitor arrivals from Korea registered 13,026 visitors in November, 49% higher than November 2022. So far this calendar year, arrivals from Korea have recovered 75% compared to pre-pandemic. Jeju Air and T’way operate a total of 21 regular flights each week to Saipan. With the end of summer and beginning of low travel season, four weekly seasonal flights from Busan by Jeju Air ended in late October and Asiana Airlines also suspended its four weekly flights from Seoul until mid-December. Asiana Airlines will resume service on Dec. 20 with two weekly flights using A330 aircraft during the winter season, adding 110 seats per flight—a 38% increase—compared to the A320 aircraft previously in operation.

The strong U.S. Dollar and weaker Korean Won and Japanese Yen are also influencing travelers from those countries to choose non-U.S. destinations at this time.

The Marianas received 544 visitors from Japan in November 2023 compared to 455 visitors in November 2022. Overall, the number of outbound Japanese travelers is about 45% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Higher fuel surcharges are driving up flight costs. and with limited flights to The Marianas at this time, Japanese travelers are also having to pay for three nights while staying only two days. To directly counter the unfavorable currency exchange rate, the MVA’s ongoing “Marianacation Tabitoku”—or Travel Deal—promotion aims to entice visitors with special offers from United Airlines, local hotels, and MVA member businesses, including the chance to win $1,000 and other prizes in a raffle.

China arrivals in November 2023 reached 243 compared to 28 arrivals in November 2022. Prior to the pandemic, China was the second largest source market of visitors to The Marianas with numerous direct flights a week. Most visitors from China are now FITs transiting via Seoul and Tokyo to The Marianas, resulting in a drop in arrivals in November due to the suspension of flights by Asiana in late October.

In November, The Marianas also received 845 visitors from Guam, 801 visitors from the United States, and a combined 341 visitors from all other markets. (MVA)