Northern Marianas authorities work to boost tourism to the islands

Government authorities in the Northern Marianas Islands are pushing to revive the US Pacific territory’s tourism sector in the post-pandemic era.

Tourism in the territory was among those hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this was further impacted by the suspension of direct flights from the Chinese Mainland.

Since travel restrictions were lifted, however, tourist arrivals to the Northern Marianas have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Currently, the influx of South Korean tourists to Saipan and other islands within the territory has helped boost the numbers. However, tourism officials noted that the number of visitors seen in 2023 only came up to 46 percent of the number last seen in 2019, the last year before the pandemic. Proof of this may be seen in the fact that numerous businesses from hotels and restaurants to souvenir centres have stayed shuttered since 2020.

Lower hotel occupancy

As of August 2024, the Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas Islands reported that the average occupancy rate among its 11 member hotels was at 44.6 percent. This is 16 percent lower than the 52.8 percent seen at the same time last year.

Likewise, the percentage only came to around half of the 88.8 percent seen in August 2019.

According to association chairperson Dennis Seo: “While overall arrivals to the Marianas are higher so far this fiscal year compared to last, the last three months have seen a drop in both average occupancy and average room rates compared to 2023.” 

The association has since spoken to the governor of the Northern Marianas, as well as three South Korean airlines regarding their concerns in the hope of finding viable solutions.

Turning to Japan

Historically, Japan was the Northern Marianas’ top source market. But with Japanese travellers turning to other destinations within Asia and the Pacific as well as the decreased number of direct flights from Japan, arrival numbers have remained low.

Japan Airlines withdrew its direct route to Saipan back in 2005 due to low profits driven by cheaper airfares to the island from its competitors. At the height of the route’s popularity, however, 450,000 of the 760,000 visitors per annum to the island destination were from Japan.

Today, to draw Japanese tourists back, Northern Marianas authorities have been organising events like marathons and fishing tournaments. At the same time, the territory is looking into benefiting from foreign troops who could make a stopover in Saipan after exercises in other Pacific islands.

As of press time, a number of schools in Japan are considering the resumption of overseas trips following the pandemic. Unfortunately, United Airlines remains undecided about its direct flight service between Tokyo and Saipan, and a decision may not be seen before the second half of 2025. This will prompt schools to look for other destinations within the region.