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Visitor arrivals jump 13 percent in June
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Posted on Jul 24 2000
Visitor arrivals for the month of June jumped 13.34 percent to a total of 44,037 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Overall visitor arrivals to the CNMI reached 388,223 for Fiscal Year 2000.
During the period, all Asian markets recorded strong growth with Taiwan topping the list as it shot up 722 percent due to the successful promotion by Mandarin Airlines carrying out a dual destination package to Saipan and Tinian.
Japan, the biggest market of the CNMI, registered a nine percent increase brought about by the direct flights from that country. Northwest Airlines flew 747 aircraft in June 2000 as compared to a DC10 used in June 1999. As a result, Northwest brought in approximately 30.5 percent more passengers this month.
Visitors brought in by Japan Airlines from Tokyo and Osaka shot up 6.3 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively. Tour operators attributed this to the company planned trips during this month because of low tour price.
Arrivals from Korea continued to show improvement as it posted 60 percent growth primarily due to the increase in direct flights seat capacity from Seoul and the resumption of Asian Airlines direct flight from Pusan.
Aside from the growing interest of Koreans to Tinian, MVA said the promotional campaigns also helped stimulate travel to the CNMI which include the ongoing Internet quiz, participation on consumer shows such as the MBC wedding fair held last June and sponsorship to travel agents on their advertisement campaign, promotional giveaways and production of brochures.
MVA is hoping to widen its market base in Asia with the planned establishment of a representative office in Hong Kong to take charge of enticing Chinese with US visa to come to the CNMI.
Tourism officials are still hoping that Continental Micronesia will resume its direct service to the CNMI from Japan to help the island recover from the economic slump. Continental has earlier announced it will temporarily resume service between Saipan and Osaka starting Feb. 1 to March 31, 2001 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
