Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) reports that visitor arrivals to The Marianas totaled 7,266 in September 2025, a 50% decrease compared to 14,555 visitors in September 2024. For Fiscal Year 2025 ending in September, total visitor arrivals were 160,640, 32% lower than the previous fiscal year (237,498).
The destination continues to wrestle with a drastic reduction in air seat capacity since before the pandemic, dropping from approximately 760,000 air seats in FY 2018 to 250,000 in FY 2025, a 67% overall loss. This includes a 60% loss of air seats from the top source market of Korea over the period, largely due to airline strategic decisions, currency disadvantages, and fierce destination competition. Air seats are also reduced compared to pre-pandemic levels after a complete loss of flights from mainland China – once another top source market for The Marianas - under geo-political changes with the U.S.
South Korea
South Korea remained the destination’s top visitor source market, with 4,065 arrivals in September 2025, a 63% decline from September 2024. Overall arrivals from Korea for the fiscal year were 37% lower than last year. Flight operations have been unstable for over a year, with lone air carriers Jeju Air and T’way Air frequently suspending or reducing flights. The Marianas received 39 flights from Seoul in September 2025 compared to 81 flights last September. Jeju Air suspended its
nighttime flight from Sept. 9 to Oct. 1 due to low ticket sales and fares, while T’way Air suspended its daily flight to Saipan from August 19 until Sept. 29, leaving only one daily flight from Seoul for most of September. The inconsistent flight schedule has created further instability by making it difficult for travel agencies to promote the destination and for travelers to plan trips.
Japan Market
Visitor arrivals from Japan reached 556 arrivals in September 2025 compared to 551 in September 2024, a 1% increase and the second consecutive month of growth from the market. Earlier this year, the MVA instated the Marianas Revival Project, aimed at rebuilding ties of government, business, tourism, cultural exchange, and community with Japan. In September, the MVA also promoted the destination at JATA Tourism Expo, one of the largest travel shows in the world, and Asia Dive Expo Japan. United Airlines operates direct flights from Tokyo Narita to Saipan three times weekly and reinstated a more favorable flight schedule this month which is anticipated to further positively impact arrivals.
China Market
Arrivals from China reached 680 in September compared to 1,505 arrivals a year ago, a 55% decrease. However, Hong Kong Airlines resumed twice weekly direct flights from Hong Kong to Saipan on Sept. 22, and the market is anticipated to recover in FY 2026 provided the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) continues without further interruption as experienced earlier this year. EVS-TAP is a restricted sub-program of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that allows prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China to travel to the U.S. destination without a visa under specified conditions. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China comprised about 44% of visitors to The Marianas, with direct flights from multiple mainland cities. The stability of EVS-TAP is seen by many stakeholders as essential to the full revival of the market.
Other Markets
Additional visitor arrivals in September 2025 included:
- Guam: 804 visitors
- United States: 624 visitors
- Other Markets (Combined): 537 visitors
Early this month the MVA Board of Directors approved a $3.8 million spending plan for Fiscal Year 2026, based on projected hotel occupancy tax (HOT) collections and current air service levels. A $6.4 million overall budget was also authorized, contingent on improved revenue projections or the appropriation of any supplemental funding to stabilize air service as a first step toward rebuilding visitor arrivals. The tourism office is seeking a supplemental $10 million budget to initiate a three-year, stop-gap plan to re-establish stable air service to the destination and increase
consumer demand with enhancements to products and services focused on global travel trends of sustainability, wellness/health, learning, and regenerative tourism.
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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