Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) reports that visitor arrivals to Saipan, Tinian, and Rota totaled 13,981 in March 2025, a 27% decrease compared to 19,213 visitors received in March 2024.
South Korea Remains the Leading Source Market
South Korea remained the largest visitor market, contributing 8,936 arrivals in March 2025—a 38% drop from the 14,403 visitors in March 2024. The decline is largely attributed to the cessation of flights by Asiana Airlines to Saipan in July 2024, as well as the reduction in flights by Jeju Air following the December 2024 crash in Korea, including a reduction in its nighttime flight from daily to 4x a week from March 7-29, 2025. However, Jeju Air has announced they will add eight flights from April 30 to May 7 to accommodate peak holiday travel demand.
A continuing aircraft shortage across multiple carriers, fierce competition with Southeast Asian destinations, and other industry factors continue to challenge flight service to The Marianas from Korea. In March the MVA joined CNMI Governor Arnold I. Palacios and representatives of the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, Commonwealth Legislature and Commonwealth Ports Authority in meeting with airline partners in Korea to negotiate air connectivity.
Japan Market Holds Steady
Visitor arrivals from Japan reached 1,121 arrivals in March 2025 compared to 1,470 in March 2024. The 24% difference was largely due to the arrival of nearly 700 ship passengers last March. In March 2025, the average aircraft load factor – the percentage of occupied air seats – from Japan was 24% higher than last March.
China Market Outpaces Japan
Arrivals from China reached 1,471 in March 2025, reflecting a 20% increase from the 1,222 visitors recorded in March 2024. Arrivals from China comprise 9% market share, a slight increase compared to 7% market share from Japan.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the Marianas' second-largest source market, with multiple direct flights. MVA previously maintained a representative office in China to support these efforts.
Other Markets
Additional visitor arrivals in March 2025 included:
- Guam: 1,076 visitors
- United States: 882 visitors
- Other Markets (Combined): 495 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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