Tourism arrivals dip slightly in November

The Marianas Visitors Authority reported yesterday a slight decrease in last month’s tourist arrivals, as a visiting Pacific Asia Travel Association official called on the industry to focus more on the quality—rather than quantity—of tourists.

MVA data showed that the Northern Marianas received a total of 42,167 visitors in November, or 2.75 percent less than the number of tourists in the same month last year.

The overall decline can be attributed largely to the decreased number of tourists from Japan, which is the CNMI’s prime tourism market and accounts for over 70 percent of the total arrivals figure.

The Korean market also posted a 2-percent decrease after it generated 4,710 visitors in November. Nevertheless, Korea did a lot better last month than in October, when it registered a 42-percent decline.

China continued its growth with a 47-percent increase in arrivals in November. A total of 1,830 Chinese visitors traveled to the CNMI last month.

The rest of the markets, led by Taiwan and Hong Kong, showed improvement in their numbers following the introduction of new non-stop flights by Continental Airlines last month.

From only 73 in November 2003, the CNMI welcomed a total of 329, or 351 percent more, Taiwanese visitors last month.

Hong Kong generated a total of 354 visitors for the CNMI last month, a 109-percent increase from only 169 tourists in the same month last year.

The Philippines, which is now benefiting from more frequent Continental flights to and from Saipan, recorded a 26-percent increase with 469 visitors.

The United States sent 1,770 tourists to the CNMI last month, more than double the 840 U.S. travelers that came in November 2003.

However, in his presentation at yesterday’s MVA general membership meeting, PATA vice president Peter Semone said the local tourism industry should take a closer look at the quality of visitors coming to the islands, instead of analyzing its accomplishments through arrivals figures.

“Don’t care too much about the numbers. Focus on how long your visitors stay in your destination and how much they are spending while they’re here,” Semone said.

In its report to members, MVA indicated that among CNMI’s top three tourism markets, Korean visitors stay on island the longest. The average length of stay of Korean visitors is 3.66 nights, followed by Chinese tourists with 3.37 nights and Japanese tourists with 3.32 nights.

Results of a survey done for MVA by Market Research & Development, Inc. last year showed that Japanese tourists spend a total average of $513 during their stay in the CNMI. The study also revealed that Japanese tourists spend the most for optional tours ($116) and souvenirs for self or companion ($115).