Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) reports that visitor arrivals to The Marianas totaled 11,877 in April 2025, a 39% decrease compared to 19,595 visitors received in April 2024.
South Korea Remains the Leading Source Market
South Korea remained the leading visitor source market with 7,564 arrivals in April 2025—a 48% drop from 14,433 visitors in April 2024. The Marianas received 60 flights from Korea in April 2025 compared to 98 flights last year. Jeju Air’s twice daily flights last year were reduced to once a day in April 2025, a total of 30 flights for the month. Asiana Airlines had ended its flights to Saipan in July 2024 under its then-pending merger with Korean Air, resulting in a loss of eight flights for the month year-on-year. T’way Air retained its daily flights for a total of 30 flights in April.
Other converging factors contributing to the decline include the strength of the U.S. Dollar, increased governmental oversight and an accompanying reduction in flights following the deadly December 2024 crash in Korea, a continuing shortage of aircraft across multiple carriers due to delays in deliver of new equipment from Boeing, and fierce competition with Southeast Asian destinations. As a result, T’Way is also anticipated to temporarily suspend its daily flight to Saipan from June 9 to July 6 as part of over 300 routes suspended globally
due to continued declining profitability. The MVA continues to work with airline and travel partners toward the goal of retaining current air service and increasing flight frequency during high travel periods.
Japan Market Shows Continued Recovery
Visitor arrivals from Japan reached 910 arrivals in April 2025 compared to 542 in April 2024. The 68% increase shows continuing recovery of the market, largely due to more convenient flight times by United Airlines compared to last year. In April 2025, the average aircraft load factor – the percentage of occupied air seats – from Japan was 35% higher compared to 2024. Outbound travel from the country continues a slow recovery since the pandemic. Arrivals to The Marianas have also been dampened due to the relative strength of the U.S. Dollar. United Airlines will revert to a less convenient flight schedule in May, which is expected to negatively impact visitor arrivals again. However, United Airlines has confirmed that the more favorable schedule will be reinstated by November."
China Market
Arrivals from China reached 788 in April 2025, reflecting a 46% decrease from 1,450 visitors recorded in April 2024 when Hong Kong Airlines initiated direct flights from Hong Kong to Saipan. Arrivals declined precipitously last month as U.S. Customs and Border Protection abruptly stopped processing travelers’ applications under the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP). CNMI EVS-TAP is a restricted sub-program of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and allows prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China to travel to the destination without a visa under specified conditions.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China comprised over 48% of The Marianas' visitors, with direct flights from multiple cities. As a result of the EVS-TAP stymie, the current two weekly flights by Hong Kong Airlines have been suspended until June 16 pending reinstatement of the program.
Other Markets
Additional visitor arrivals in April 2025 included:
- Guam: 829 visitors
- United States: 1,350 visitors
- Other Markets (Combined): 436 visitors
The Marianas is an archipelago of 14 islands - including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota - in the Western Pacific. The Marianas are home to indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, as well as over 20 different ethnicities from around the world who live and work in this harmonious tropical paradise. Ancient latte stone limestone monoliths, traditional nature-based ocean navigation not reliant on modern technology, and a culture seasoned by East and West influences are just a few of the experiences found in The Marianas, where pristine sea, sand, and skies are only a 3–4-hour flight from major Asian gateway cities. From South Korea, Jeju Air and T’Way provide direct flights to Saipan from Seoul-Incheon. United Airlines flies three times a week from Tokyo-Narita, Japan, and daily from Guam. Hong Kong Airlines flies twice weekly from Hong Kong. Interisland travel between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota is provided by Star Marianas Air. For more information on The Marianas, visit www.mymarianas.com, Facebook/VisitTheMarianas, or Instagram @themarianas.
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