Arrivals up 56% last February

According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the CNMI grew 56% to 23,207 visitors in February 2024, compared to 14,863 visitors received in February 2023.

However, monthly arrivals were 39% lower compared to pre-pandemic levels of February 2019, when arrivals to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota reached 38,049 visitors.

Visitor arrivals from Korea registered 16,415 visitors in February, 37% higher than February 2023. Direct flight service is provided to Saipan from Seoul by T’way, Asiana Airlines, and Jeju Air, who also operated 10 additional flights during the Lunar New Year holiday period. T’way and Asiana Airlines recorded February load factors of 95% each, while Jeju Air achieved 89%, resulting in an overall average load factor of 92% for February. Additionally, forward bookings for March have already surpassed 80% for all airlines, indicating positive prospects for the month, including promotions for the Saipan Marathon package in March with over 100 Korean runners participating.

The Marianas received 838 visitors from Japan in February 2024 compared to 605 visitors in February 2023. Although the number of Japanese travelling abroad has nearly doubled in the last year, the number was still 42% lower in January 2024 compared to pre-pandemic in 2019. According to Japan Research Institute Co., Ltd., individual consumption will gradually recover this year due to improvements in employment and income environments.

The strong U.S. dollar and weaker Korean won and Japanese yen continue to influence travelers from those countries to choose non-U.S. destinations at this time.

China arrivals in February 2024 reached 1,580 compared to 73 arrivals in February 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. Most visitors from China are now FITs transiting via Seoul and Tokyo to the Marianas, although Hong Kong Airlines will commence twice weekly direct flights from Hong Kong to Saipan on April 28, 2024. This will mark the airline’s first flights to the Marianas since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February, the Marianas also received 700 visitors from Guam, 2,023 visitors from the United States, and a combined 1,651 visitors from all other markets. Arrivals were also bolstered by three ship arrivals carrying 2,529 visitors. (PR)