Visitor arrivals up 55% last December

According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the CNMI grew 55% to 20,067 visitors in December 2023, compared to 12,949 visitors received in December 2022.

Calendar year 2023 (January through December) reached 215,543 visitors, the first breach of the 200,000-mark since the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiscal year-to-date arrivals (October through December) are 60% higher than last fiscal year. However, monthly arrivals are 62% lower than pre-pandemic levels of December 2019, when arrivals reached 52,297 visitors.

Visitor arrivals from Korea registered 16,369 visitors in December, 66% higher than December 2022. Jeju Air and T’way operate a total of 21 regular flights each week to Saipan throughout the month, and Asiana Airlines resumed service on Dec. 20 with two weekly flights using A330 aircraft with 290 seats during the winter season.

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.

The Marianas received 888 visitors from Japan in December 2023 compared to 734 visitors in December 2022. Overall, the number of outbound Japanese travelers making international travel was 38% lower year-on-year as of November, that latest available data; Hawaii was 49% lower and Guam was 71% lower in the month. Additionally, higher fuel surcharges are driving up flight costs, and with limited flights to the Marianas, 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 is continuing its “Marianacation Tabitoku”—or Travel Deal—promotion that 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 December 2023 reached 514 compared to 36 arrivals in December 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.

In December, the Marianas also received 1,188 visitors from Guam, 769 visitors from the United States, and a combined 339 visitors from all other markets. (MVA)