CNMI visitor arrivals up 80% in October 2023
Visitor arrivals to the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota grew 80% to 19,731 visitors in October 2023, compared to 10,934 visitors received in October 2022, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The October figure is 43% lower than pre-pandemic levels of October 2019, when arrivals reached 34,670 visitors. In October 2019 58% of total visitors were from Korea and 34% were from China. In October 2023, only 7% 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 16,374 visitors in October, 82% higher than October 2022. Overall, the Korea market has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Jeju Air, T’Way, and Asiana Airlines operate a total of 29 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 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 Marianas received 375 visitors from Japan in October 2023 compared to 230 visitors in October 2022. Overall, the number of outbound Japanese travelers is still 57% lower than pre- pandemic levels—1 million in September 2023 compared to 1.7 million in September 2019. The MVA continues to face the obstacle of Japanese hesitancy to travel overseas due to fears of COVID-19, especially as a large percentage of Japanese children are not vaccinated. With limited flights to the Marianas at this time, Japanese travelers are also having to pay for three nights while staying only two days. In addition to other marketing campaigns, 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.
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. Japanese arrivals to Guam and Hawaii were both 78% and 64% lower, respectively, in October 2023 compared to October 2019 before the pandemic.
China arrivals in October 2023 reached 1,289 compared to 21 arrivals in October 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 free independent travelers transiting via Seoul and Tokyo to the Marianas. The China National Tourism Administration reinstated the Marianas on its Approved Destination Status list in August, allowing package tours and charter flights to the destination once again. The Commonwealth Ports Authority is also requesting the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve a separate number of flights allowed to the Marianas, as before the pandemic and separate from the total quota authorized flights to the U.S.
In October the Marianas also received 750 visitors from Guam, 615 visitors from the United States, and a combined 328 visitors from all other markets. (MVA)
MVA
