CNMI visitor arrivals grow 8 percent in June

Visitor arrivals to the Northern Mariana Islands in June 2015 were up 8 percent compared to June 2014. According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota registered 38,342 visitors in June 2015, compared to 35,638 visitors received in June 2014.

“Arrivals were up 8 percent in June and so far this fiscal year, total visitors arrivals are up 13 percent compared to the same period last year, but there is still work to be done,” said MVA managing director Perry Tenorio. “While Korea and China are healthy, we continue to work on reviving the Japan market and we are actively seeking opportunities for the restoration of direct flights from Russia.”

Arrivals from Korea jumped 48 percent in June to 13,985 visitors. Asiana Airlines has been operating summer charter flights four times weekly from July 7 to Aug. 16 using an A321 with 171 seats and the MVA has been working with the airline and major travel agencies to promote and boost sales through various channels to convert this seasonal charter service to new regular flight service.

Arrivals from China were almost the same compared to June 2014 at 14,894 visitors. Century Tours plans to operate four charter flights a week from Beijing to Saipan from July 12 until Aug. 19 instead of the current three flights a week. Dynamic Airways is also planning to launch new charter flights from Hong Kong to Saipan from July 19, operating three times a week and targeting the South China market. This increased airlift ensures continuing strong growth from the China market for the summer season and into the fall.

Arrivals from Japan fell 17 percent to 6,305 visitors without any charter flights from Japan to the NMI during the month of June. Delta Air Lines and major Japanese travel agents are working with the MVA to launch a major summer campaign designed to boost arrivals from the Japan market in July, August, and September. In addition, the MVA continues to actively seek possibilities to increase airlift to the NMI, with a particular focus on negotiations to secure new flights to Saipan direct non-stop from the Osaka market.

Economic highlights
The Japanese government kept its opinion of the economy unchanged for June 2015, but upgraded its view on capital spending as companies moved to increase investment. During the month of June, the yen continued to depreciate against the U.S. dollar, to 123.84 yen to the dollar. A recent JATA survey of Japan`s top five travel agencies about the status of outbound travel for the 2015 summer period (July 1 – Sept. 30) showed that demand for summer vacations this year is shifting, from July to September, due to the good positioning of national holidays in September`s Silver Week holiday period, which will allow Japanese travelers to take longer vacations overseas.

Increased domestic spending had stimulated the South Korean economy, which, before the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, was facing stiff challenges from falling exports. The South Korean won/dollar exchange rate rose 12.44 won over the past month to close at 1,126.89 against the U.S. dollar. (MVA)