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May tourist arrivals show slight increase
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Posted on Jun 15 2008
Statistics released Sunday by the local tourism office, the Marianas Visitors Authority, show arrivals to the Commonwealth jumped slightly in May over last year due to an increase in visitors from key Asian markets.
The Commonwealth saw 31,203 visitors in May compared to 29,093 in the same month last year, a 7.25 percent jump. A boost in air service from Japan might account for a significant portion of that increase, according to MVA managing director Perry Tenorio, who touted the new figures in a statement.
“The growth of our primary markets, Japan and Korea, are reflective of the commitment and support of our travel industry members.” Tenorio said.
The announced rise in visitors comes only days after MVA board chair Jerry Tan disclosed that Asiana Airlines is poised to begin making daily flights along its Incheon-to-Saipan route, a move that could boost tourism even further.
In the Japanese tourism market, Tenorio said the Commonwealth saw a 5-percent increase in visitors, a rise attributable to a 20-percent jump in the number of seats now available on Japanese air service to Saipan.
Korean tourism has increased every month this year, Tenorio said, including May, a change due to a higher number of airline seats. The number of tourists from Korea rose 31 percent over last year to 9,925.
Russian tourism also saw significant growth in May by 156 percent, though only 351 Russian tourists arrived in the Commonwealth.
Among the major tourism islands in the Commonwealth, Saipan saw a 7-percent increase in arrivals in May over last year. Rota saw a 23-percent boost, yet Tinian curiously saw a 17-percent drop in visitors.
“[T]he outlook of tourism is positive due to the increase in anticipated air seats out of Japan and Korea,” Tenorio said.
