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CNMI visitor arrivals level in January
Visitors arrivals to the CNMI were level in January 2016 compared to January 2015. According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, arrivals to the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota registered 46,011 visitors in January 2016, compared to 45,688 visitors received in January 2015.
Arrivals from China nearly doubled in the month, rising 48 percent compared to January 2015 to reach 20,615 visitors. With new flights from Tianjin, Shenyang, and Jinan operated by Dynamic Airways at the beginning of January, as well as a new flight from Hangzhou to Saipan operated by Century Tours, continued rapid growth from the China market is projected for the coming year as the MVA’s promotions penetrate deeper into secondary markets of China which until now have been largely untapped. The MVA is working with key regional travel agents in the above secondary markets to carry out a range of marketing programs to continue to boost market demand.
Arrivals from Korea dropped 19 percent in January to 17,125 visitors. The decrease is attributed to the fact that Asiana Airlines suspended its morning flight in June 2015 and also cut its charter flight in February 2015; both flights were operating in January 2015. The MVA has been working with EASTAR JET, Korea’s low cost carrier on the launch of new daily service to Saipan from July using a B737-800 with 189 seats from Incheon to Saipan. This new flight launch will ensure a continuing rapid increase in arrivals from Korea to the NMI in the second half of the year.
Arrivals from Japan fell 34 percent to 5,473 visitors as the NMI continued to feel the effect of Delta Air Lines cutting its Narita to Saipan night flight in October, a move that dropped airlift from the Japan market to just one daily flight. In January, the MVA and Delta began a series of joint promotions including a series of FAM tours for top Japan travel agents, as well as co-op promotions with all major Japanese travel agencies including a series of retail campaigns, seminars, and online promotions designed to convince Delta to re-launch the Narita night flight. In addition, the MVA has been approaching all low-cost carriers to secure the launch of new flights from Japan to the NMI this year.
