Tourism Insights 2009 January

PAGE 1
TOURISM INSIGHTS
JANUARY 2009
35.2% LESS REVENUE in 2009 WITH ANTCIPATED MARKET CHANGES
With the proposed federal exclusion of visitors from the People’s
Republic of China (PRC) and Russia,
recent service reductions announced
by Northwest Airlines, and the continued dip in visitor arrivals from Korea,
the Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA)
is projecting $339-million — or 35.2%
less — tourism revenue annually.
MVA is seeking the delayed
implementation of federal immigration regulations excluding visitors
from the PRC and Russia, which accounted for 20% of tourism revenue
for the CNMI in FY2008. Although visitors from PRC and Russian accounted
for only 10% of total visitor arrivals,
due to longer stays and higher spending than other visitors, they contributed $56,790,108 in direct economic
impact and $185,659,450 in indirect
economic impact to the local economy.
MVA estimated that if visitors
from the PRC and Russia are excluded
from the visa waiver program, the
CNMI will lose 656 public sector jobs
and 733 private sectors jobs.
MVA noted the PRC and Russia
markets will become increasingly important in FY2009, as Northwest Airlines (NWA) has announced a series of
service reductions in the coming
months. On March 29, 2009, NWA will
downgauge its daytime flights from
Narita from an A330 (298 seats) to a
B757 (182 seats). In May, NWA will
cancel its nighttime flights from both
Osaka and Narita. Based on a 75% load
factor and with an estimated $827 in
direct and $2,709 in indirect economic
impact per Japanese visitor, the CNMI
will lose 26.8% of its total air seats by
NWA and $51,341,514 and
$168,118,515 in direct and indirect
economic opportunity, respectively,
by the end of fiscal year 2009. The
loss of the NWA Osaka-Saipan flights
will means 20% fewer air seats from
Japan.
MVA is meeting with its travel
partners to look at ways to replace
the loss of seats. According to MVA
Managing Director Tenorio, the new
Osaka-Saipan flights commenced by
Asiana Airlines in December 2008 will
help mitigate some of the loss. Asiana
Airlines is operating 3 times weekly
for an anticipated 6 months using
A321-200 aircraft, which provide 177
seats (12 business class seats and 165
economy class seats), or about 12,744
seats total for the operating period.
The CNMI’s second largest
market of Korea has also seen continued softness over the last several
months due to the economic downturn
in the Korea and the weakened Korea
Won.
MVA URGES PUBLIC TO COMMENT ON VISA WAIVER REGULATIONS
MVA is urging the CNMI community to submit comments supporting a delay in implementation of proposed tourism visa regulations.
MVA and its members have
launched a petition campaign urging
the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS)
to delay implementation of rules to
establish U.S. Ports of Entry in the
CNMI and implementing the GuamCNMI Visa Waiver Program. The interim final rules of the visa waiver
program do not allow visa waivers for
two of the CNMI’s main tourism markets, the People’s Republic of China
(PRC) and Russia.
The interim final rules estimate that the CNMI will lose 16% of
visitors from PRC and 3% of visitors
from Russia, a figure MVA says is
grossly underestimated. MVA travel
partners report the CNMI will lose
95% of the two markets if they are
not included in the Guam-CNMI Visa
Waiver Program.
The petition requests the delay of the start of the transition period for 180 days or until the required
additional security measures of Section III (A) (2) are in place and the
DHS has made a determination that
visitors from the PRC and Russia can
participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa
Waiver Program and amends the
regulations.
Individuals interested in signing or circulating petitions may visit
the MVA office or download a copy
a n d
i n s t r u c t i o n s
a t
www.mymarianas.com.
Petitions
should be returned to MVA by Feb. 27,
2009, for compilation and delivery to
DHS. Comments on the rules may also
be submitted directly to DHS at
www.regulations.gov, enter USCBP2009-0001.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Marketing Events………………………….1
Visitor Arrivals and Profiles…..…….9
Upcoming Events………………………..11
Si Yu’us Ma’ase Members…………..11
MVA Corner………………………………...12
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TOURISM
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TOURISM
INSIGHTS
WINTER FESTIVAL OF RUNS DRAWS RECORD 500+ PARTICIPANTS
Organizers have declared
the 2009 Winter Festival of Runs
in Saipan an official winner, following the successful staging of
the event for over double the
number of runners last year.
Compared to 230 participants in 2008, a total of 533 participants took off at the starting
gun on Jan. 17, 2009, for the
Saipan Marathon, half-marathon,
and 10K run along Saipan’s scenic roadways. Nearly 400 participants alone traveled from
Japan for the event. Other offisland entries came from Korea,
Guam, and the neighboring island of Tinian.
Adding to the professionalism of the event, the course
had been re-measured and an
automated, chip-technology timing system was utilized by timing
company Keisoku-kobo to give
participants certificates with
their official times within minutes of finishing the course.
Seven inspiring competitors over the age of 80 also
joined the event, including eld-
est runner 87-yearold Yoshio Dejimaj,
who ran in the 10K.
Dejimaj was joined
by five other men
and one woman in
the octogenarian set.
Major sponsors
were DFS Galleria,
Northwest
Airlines,
O a k l e y,
Northern Mariana Athletics,
Island Apparel, Hyatt
Regency Saipan and
Gatorade.
Other contributors were
Aqua Resort Club, CMLC Artha
Co., Ltd, Furusato Emperor Enterprises, Hafadai Beach Hotel,
Hertz Rent A Car, Kinpachi Restaurant, Pacific Subsea, Pacific
Islands Club, Saipan Sea Venture,
Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino,
Tony Roma's, World Resort Hotel, JC Cafe' Tinian, Saipan Walking Association Inc. (SAIWAI),
Saipan Shipping Co., R & C Tours,
Coral Ocean Point, Palms Resort
Saipan, Budget Car Rental, Century Travel, Summer Holiday,
Hard Rock Cafe, Pacific Development Inc., Hyatt Regency Hotel, Palms Resort Saipan, Dan
Kimbell, Fiesta Resort & Spa,
Tasi Tours, Sandcastle Saipan, Pacific Trading Co. Gatorade, Topnotch, Saipan Advertising, LSG SKY CHEFS, R &
C Tours, HIS, NTA, PDI,
HIT Tours, MVA Headquarters Japan Office,
Mc Donald's, Pacific Eagle Company, Rainbow
Color and Anh Corporation.
Aid station support was provided by
Emmanuel
College,
INATUAS, Tasi Tours,
Palms Resort, Marianas High
School (MHS) Honor Society, Dan
Kimbel, MHS Girls Basketball
Team, Northern Mariana Athletics, Pacific Islands Club (PIC) Saipan, Hyatt Regency Saipan, and
SAIWAI.
Also recognized for their
assistance with course setup and
cleanup were: Department of
Public Safety Traffic Section,
Commonwealth Health Center,
Department of Public Works
Roads & Grounds, Dept. of Lands
and Natural Resources, Hawaiian
Rock Product, and PIC Saipan.
The Winter Festival of
Runs is held each January on Saipan and is one of the signature
tourism events of the Northern
Mariana Islands.
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TOURISM
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INTERNATIONAL MEDIA COVERS WINTER FESTIVAL OF RUNS
The Winter Festival of
Runs had both athletes and international media running, as
five Japanese and Korea media
outlets arrived to cover the
event, bringing over $140,000 in
additional exposure value for
the Northern Mariana Islands.
Body +, a monthly magazine in Japan targeting men and
women in their 20s and 40s, arrived early Jan. 15 to prepare a
6-page feature for their February 2009 edition. The magazine
will reach 70,000 readers with
an article exploring Saipan from
the angle of sports, beauty and
health. In addition to the Saipan
Marathon, the article will also
feature hotels, spas, and local
food.
Representatives of Running Style, a bi-monthly magazine reaching 100,000 readers of
the same target market in Japan,
JAPAN PUBLIC RELATIONS
COVERAGE
also arrived Jan. 15.
Their
March 2009 edition will seek to
convey “the message of excitement of running” and will introduce the running event, provide
running “How Tos” and introduce running fashion through the
Saipan Marathon experience.
Along with the event feature,
Running Style will also cover
spas, hotels, and local foods in
Saipan.
Japan newspaper Nikkan
Sports and two Korean newspapers arrived Jan. 16.
Munhwa Ilbo (or “daily
newspaper” in Korean) sent reporter Byong-KiMin on assignment to report on the races.
With a circulation of 500,000,
Munhwa Ilbo is the only evening
newspaper among the daily
newspapers with nationwide circulation. Primary readers consist of well-educated collage
OUTBOUND NUMBER OF
JAPANESE TRAVELLERS:
2007
During the month of January in
Japan, PR coverage was secured in 117 publications,
websites and broadcast programs, with an estimated circulation of 113,025,436 and
an estimated advertising value
of $1,599,145. This was secured without the expenditure
of the MVA advertising budget.
graduates and white-collar workers.
Sports Seoul, one of the
major sports dailies in Korea targeting young males in their late
teens to mid-20’s, sent reporter
Jung-Ran Kim to cover the festival. Sports Seoul has a daily circulation of 350,000 nationwide.
With the help of tour
company Hana Tour, the reporters from Korea also took time to
cover and report on the excellent attractions to be found in
the Northern Marianas. In addition to a full tour of the facilities at their Pacific Islands Club
Saipan lodgings, the reporters
enjoyed an island tour, a monster truck extreme off-road adventure through Saipan’s jungle,
an evening of shopping at DFS,
and a choice of bottom fishing or
a tour of picturesque Managaha
Island.
2008
%
CHANGE
TOTAL TO DATE 17,294,935
15,928,036
-8%
Jan
1,407,790
1,353,928
-4%
Feb
1,377,670
1,372,626
Mar
1,575,478
1,455,505
0%
-8%
Apr
1,289,713
1,183,191
-8%
May
1,305,574
1,267,191
-3%
Jun
1,381,922
1,272,663
-8%
Jul
1,413,231
1,331,867
-6%
Aug
1,687,050
1,486,016
-12%
Sept
1,550,601
1,370,631
-12%
Oct
1,484,102
1,353,482
-9%
Nov
1,451,116
1,264,104
-13%
Dec
1,370,688
1,216,072
-11%
(Source: Japan Tourism Marketing Office)
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TOURISM
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TOURISM
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MARIANAS COFFEE TRAIL RUN SPANS SAIPAN SURF TO SUMMIT
While most residents were
still asleep, 58 trail runners were
up before the crack of dawn on
Jan. 31, 2009, in Saipan to compete in the 2nd Annual Marianas
Coffee Trail Run.
Competitors began arriving
at American Memorial Park Micro
Beach at 5:30 a.m. to prepare for
the 6:30 a.m. start, a quiet affair
framed by a disarming pink and
grey sunrise breaking over the
course challenge ahead, the summit of Mt. Tapochao.
The 10-mile run headed
through quiet morning traffic in
Garapan up the shady roads of
Navy Hill to the peak of Mt. Tapochao, the highest point of the
island. More than a few runners
had to drop from a run, to a jog,
to a walk before making the summit—but none gave up.
The route wove back down
the mountain to the finish line at
the park, traversing the old
growth plantation of Marianas
Coffee owner Chuck Jordan, a
young plantation and grove of
wild coffee trees. The course
also followed trails featured in
the annual XTERRA competition.
Topping the men’s corps
was Handa Yunosuke of Japan
(1:06:23), followed by Miyachi Fujiu of Japan (1:22:46), and Yosh
Gabaldon of Saipan (1:38:19).
The women were led by Kurara
Tanaka
of Japan (1:42:56),
Saipan resident Mieko Carey
(1:49:24), and Maria Benito of
Guam (1:51:20).
A number of runners and
walkers opted for the short 6-mile
course. The men on the short
course were led by Scott Hayden
of USA (1:06:23), Chang Wan Jang
of Saipan (1:06:26), and Stanley
Paracale of USA (1:23:20). Leading the women for the short
course were Ericka Frink of USA
(1:26:34), Kathleen Herman of
USA (1:29:48), and Ryoko Chang
of Korea (1:43:14).
Sixteen competitors from
Japan and five runners from Guam
traveled to Saipan for the event.
Winners were honored at an island barbeque lunch at Micro
Beach after the race. Each competitor also received a finisher’s
T-shirt and certificate of participation.
Major sponsors of the
event of the annual trail run are
Marianas Coffee Company, MVA,
PDI and Northern Marianas Athletics. MVA members such as Pacific
Islands Club, IT & E have donated
additional contributions in support of the event.
OUTBOUND NUMBER OF KOREAN TRAVELLERS
2007
2008
% change
11,170,572
11,996,094
-10%
Jan
1,281,530
1,322,909
3%
Feb
982,591
1,132,463
15%
Mar
1,046,055
983,589
-6%
Apr
989,018
1,026,250
4%
May
1,107,498
1,099,977
-1%
Jun
1,064,076
1,004,715
-6%
Jul
1,297,398
1,135,843
-13%
Aug
1,308,664
1,163,809
-11%
Sept
1,015,650
818,747
-19%
Oct
1,078,092
932,716
-13%
Nov
1,072,557
707,512
-34%
Dec
1,081,848
667,564
-38%
TOTAL TO DATE
(Source:
Korean National
Tourist Office)
KOREAN PUBLIC RELATIONS
COVERAGE
During month of December in
Korea, PR coverage was secured in 30 publications, websites and broadcast programs,
with an estimated circulation
of 8,209,000 and an estimated
advertising value of $177,833.
This was secured without the
expenditure of the MVA advertising budget.
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TOURISM
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TOURISM
INSIGHTS
$60,000 IN PUBLICITY FOR NMI FROM VISITING KOREAN MEDIA
The Northern Mariana Islands is set to receive an estimated $60,000 in publicity after
two recent familiarization tours
by Korean media outlets.
Hankook Ilbo reporter
Sung-Won Lee arrived on Saipan
in January to experience the island and prepare a feature article for the daily newspaper, one
of Korea’s major national papers
with a circulation of 1-million
readers.
Hankook Ilbo is anticipated to promote the Northern
Marianas as a family travel destination. Lee’s visit to Saipan included an island tour, snorkeling
and underwater sea walking off
Managaha Island, a monster
truck off-road adventure, an
evening of shopping at DFS Galleria, and jet skiing or parasailing. The reporter stayed at Sai-
pan World Resort and also enjoyed the resort water park during his tour before his departure..
Korean monthly magazine
Tour de Monde also sent editors
Eun-Gee Kim and Ju-Eun Bae to
experience the Northern Mariana
Islands for six days and write a
feature article to increase
awareness of the islands. The
tour took an island tour and
lodged at Rota Resort and Country Club, where they also inspected the golf course. On Tinian they took another island tour
and stayed at the world-class
Tinian Dynasty Resort & Casino.
On Saipan they spent a morning
of fun in the sun at Managaha
Island, toured the island, and
enjoyed the water park and accommodations of Saipan World
Resort.
Since the first publication
in 1996, Tour De Monde has been
highly recognized as a unique
travel guidebook for people who
love to travel. With a circulation of 50,000 readers, the
magazine features vivid stories
about various cities, people, cultures, festivals and food around
the globe.
The fam tour was supported by Saipan World Resort,
Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino
and Rota Resort and Country
Club, providing accommodation
and meals; Mode Tour, providing
discount airfare to Rota; KPS
Corp., providing a discounted
rate on the off-road adventure
tour; and Tasi Tour, providing
free Managaha Ferry transportation and snorkeling gear rental.
BOY BAND “TVXQ” SHOOT MUSIC VIDEO IN SAIPAN
The sand, surf
and scenery of tropical
Saipan served as the
backdrop for recent
videotaping by popular
East Asia boy band
“TVXQ.”
Also marketed as
Tohoshinki in Japan and
Dong Bang Shin Ki or
Dong Bang Shin Gi in
Korea, TVXQ visited the
Northern Mariana Islands on Jan. 13-17,
2009, to videotape for
an upcoming music
video and SBS TV, one of three
major national channels in Korea.
With a band name roughly
translated as “Rising Gods of the
East,” TVXQ members Xiah,
Micky, Hero, Max, and U-Know
They also visited the
Korean Peace Memorial and highlighted
the numerous outdoor
sports activities available year round at
their lodging at Pacific Islands Club Saipan.
Since their debut in 2003, TVXQ has
become one of the
most popular singing
groups in East Asia,
gaining great popularity in such countries
showcased several island loca- as China, Singapore, Thailand,
tions during the taping, including and other East Asian regions.
the white sand beaches of Mana- Their repertoire across these digaha Island and the scenic natu- verse markets ranges from a
ral sites of the Grotto, Bird Island, cappella to pop.
Suicide Cliff and Banzai Cliff.
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TOURISM
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TOURISM
INSIGHTS
NATJA SENDS AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST TO MARIANAS
The Northern Mariana Island of
Rota recently welcomed travel
journalist Bryan Scofield as part
of the annual North American
Travel Journalists Association
Awards (NATJA) Competition.
For his first place Best Travel
Broadcast entry in the 2007
NATJA contest, Scofield was
awarded a package tour to the
tropical island of Rota and the
neighboring island of Guam earlier this month.
Schofield and travel companion Jenny Broughton were on
Rota on Jan.10-12, 2009, where
they lodged at Rota Resort and
Country Club. Their first day on
island included a trail trek
through the resort farmland
property leading to the famous
and picturesque Swimming Hole
site, before returning to enjoy
the warm sunshine and northern
breeze while relaxing poolside
at the resort.
Day 2 featured a south
island tour of the Cave Museum,
Tweksberry Beach Park, Aqua
Gift Shop, Honey Garden, Japanese era relics including the
Sugar Mill Train and WWII cannon overlooking Sasanhaya Bay,
and a panaromic view of Rota’s
legendary Wedding Cake Mountain. The couple spent a leisurely afternoon at Teteto Beach,
followed by a sunset barbeque
overlooking the ocean.
Follo wing his vi sit,
Schofield noted that Rota has
maintained a balance between
modern conveniences and deep
island history, calling the trip
“the most relaxation I've had in
years."
True to its moniker as
“the friendly island,” Rota also
m ade a n i mp ressi on o n
Broughton, who remarked on the
“many kind locals” they met.
The couple received a
personal hafa adai (“hello” in
indigenous Chamorro) welcome
from Rota Board Representative
Edward U. Maratita of the
Marianas Visitors Authority
(MVA). Before their departure
on the final day, they took a
jungle tour of the island’s lush
north side jungles.
MVA Managing Director
Perry Tenorio expressed appreciation for the collaboration
with the Guam Visitors Bureau to
showcase the appeal of the
Mariana Islands as a travel destination.
NATJA is professional association of writers, photographers, editors, and tourism professionals founded in 1991 as a
non-political organization.
NATJA’s mission is “to support
the professional development of
its members, provide exceptional benefits and valuable resources, support high quality
professional journalism, promote
travel and leisure activities to
the public, and honor the excellence of journalism throughout
the world.” To join NATJA, applicants must prove only that
they are legitimate working
travel journalists but do not
need "sponsorship" from incumbent members.
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TOURISM
INSIGHTS
MARIANAS TOURISM EDUCATION COUNCIL ELECTS 2009 OFFICERS
The Marianas
Tourism Education
Council (MTEC) has
elected its 2009
officers as it prepares for another
year of activities
educating the community.
The new officers are Chairman
Ed Cho (Saipan
Grand Hotel), ViceChairman
Vicky
Benavente (PIC Saipan),
Secretary
Coreen
Palacios
(Public School System), and Treasurer Nhing Reyes
(Ernest & Young).
Cho noted MTEC’s goals
for 2009 include educating the
community on how each individual can make a difference in
strengthening tourism.
In February MTEC
launches its first television ad
campaign.
Other activities
planned for the year include in-
creased outreach
to school MY WAVE
(Welcome All Visitors
Enthusiastically) clubs.
Cho
said
MTEC is looking for
new ways to collaborate with the
younger
generation and support
their active participation in learning about the industry, welcoming
visitors, and gaining skills to become the CNMI’s
future workforce.
MTEC is a
nonprofit organization promoting
community awareness on the importance of the visitor industry
in the CNMI.
MVA LEADS BASEBALL FIELD RENOVATION
In a bid to attract more
regional baseball teams for
training, Saipan is beginning a
series of upgrades to the baseball and softball fields at the island’s main sports complex.
The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) is spearheading
the Susupe Ball Park Enhancement Project, which dedicates
$145,000 to repairs and renovations for the Francisco Palacios
Baseball Field and Miguel Pangelinan Softball Field.
The project will include
installation of a 50-foot retractable fence, replacement of the
existing fence, installation of
protective pads, and repair of
night game floodlights. The project also includes upgrades to
the softball field, the bullpen,
batting tunnels, and equipment
storage facilities.
With the CNMI’s yearround tropical weather and
proximity to east Asia, Saipan,
Tinian and Rota are an ideal
training location for professional
teams in the region. MVA Managing Director Perry Tenorio
called the renovation project a
‘double play’, helping the NMI to
attract regional teams and their
accompanying media, while also
benefiting all local ballplayers.
MVA met with the Department of Public Work (DPW) on
Jan. 12, 2009. DPW is providing
technical support for the project
and will help meet several grant
requirements prior to the issu-
ance of a Notice to Proceed and
then Request for Proposal. MVA
has also met with the Division of
Historic Preservation to address
concerns related to historic remains in the area.
The project was funded
with a capitol improvement project (CIP) grant from the U.S.
Office of Insular Affairs (OIA). It
took special attention from MVA
and from OIA to gain approval.
The much needed improvements come at the recommendation of LG Twins, a professional baseball team from Korea now on Saipan for training.
The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2009.
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TOURISM
INSIGHTS
TOURISM
INSIGHTS
JANUARY ARRIVES UP 2.13%
China 27% to 4,427. Also, arrivals than January 2008—
two charter flights by Vladi- 8,676 visitors. According to the
Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009
Korea Tourism Organization, the
% vostok Airlines arrived in
J
a
nu
a
r
y,
ra
i
sin
g
t
h
e
number of Koreans traveling
2008
2009
Change
monthly total to 1,135 visi- overseas last year was nearly
TOTAL TO
10% lower than the previous year
DATE:
132,824
134,414
1.2% tors from Russia, or 60%
more than last January.
amid the global economic recesMVA Managing Direc- sion and the depreciation of the
October
27,238
29,611
8.71% tor Perry Tenorio said the
won. In particular, in November
November
31,618
31,690
0.23% small gains in arrivals in
and December last year, the
number of Koreans departing the
December
35,849
34,181
-4.65% January while tourism is
down
worldwide
is
an
indicountry dropped 33.8% and
January
38,119
38,932
2.13%
cation that investment in 38.1% respectively, from a year
February
40,222
the China and Russia mar- earlier. Hana Tour, the nation’s
March
32,352
kets can make a difference largest travel agent, expects the
April
31,800
for the CNMI. He expressed slump to continue at least until
concern is for the rest of the end of the first half of the
May
31,203
year, particularly with an- year. The falling Korean won is
June
30,936
ticipated Northwest Airlines also discouraging Korean conJuly
35,259
service reductions and loss sumers from spending their
r
August
34,251
of visa waivers for China money on overseas travel.
September 27,650
and Russia under federalizaArrivals to the CNMI from
tion.
YEAR
Guam and the mainland U.S.
The CNMI’s primary were also down last month to
TOTAL:
396,497
134,414
----source market of Korea 521 and 1,405 arrivals, respecTourist arrivals to the posted a third consecutive tively.
Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) of month of loss with 23% fewer
Saipan, Tinian and Rota rose
2.13% last month compared to
25,000
70%
January 2008.
According to the Marianas
60%
Visitors Authority (MVA), total
50%
20,000
visitor arrivals to the CNMI
40%
reached 38,932 last month versus
38,119 in January 2008. While
30%
the worldwide economic down15,000
20%
turn paints a bleak forecast for
arrivals in 2009, the small gain in
10%
January came from two Russian
10,000
0%
charter flights, increased travel
during the Chinese New Year
-10%
holiday, and an increase in arri5,000
-20%
vals from Japan over last January.
Arrivals from Japan posted
-30%
an 11% increase in arrivals over a
-40%
year ago to 22,302, yet still
JAPAN KOREA CHINA
GUAM
USA
PI
RUSSIA OTHER
dropped significantly for the sec22,078 11,227
3,494
1,473
746
114
711
276
2008
ond month in a row. Holiday
22,302
8,676
4,447
1,405
521
79
1,137
365
2009
travel during Chinese New Year
1%
-23%
27%
-5%
-30%
-31%
60%
32%
% chge
boosted January arrivals from
Visitors Arrival Statistics
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TOURISM
INSIGHTS
TOURISM
INSIGHTS
VISITOR PROFILE
Gender
This section provides a summary of key trends
from Japan for the month of January 2009.
M ale
Female
53%
47%
JAPAN
•
In January 2009, Males outnumbered Females
by 6 percent. The gender breakdown was
males 53% and females 47%. In terms of arrivals, males showed an increase of 4.75 percent
and females 19.83 percent, as compared to
January 2009. The largest age group was 60 &
Over which captured 13.09 percent of the total arrivals from Japan. The second largest
age group was Under 19 with 12.54 percent
and third was 30-34 which captured 11.97 percent.
Age and Gender
Male
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Under
•
•
Of the 13,666 visitors who responded on frequency of visit: 53.38% were on their first visit
to the CNMI and 46.62% had visited the CNMI
before.
Traveling with friends continues to take the
lead in travel companion trends. 40.45 percent
of our visitors indicated that they were traveling with friends. Traveling with spouse
(21.94%) came in second and traveling with
business associates (20.80%) came in third.
Female
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60 - +
19
80.00%
Travel Plans
71.26%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
17.73%
20.00%
15.01%
11.59%
10.00%
0.00%
•
Packaged tours continued to be the main type
of travel arrangement. 57.76% of our visitors
indicated that they were on packaged tours.
13.35% were business trip and third were individually arranged (11.73%).
Pleasure
•
Dive
Company
Trip
30.00%
•
Golf
The top four selections in travel plans during
their stay included pleasure (71.26%), golf
(17.73%), dive (15.01%), and company trip
(11.59%). However, sports posted the highest
growth of 123.63% in arrivals as compared to
same month last year.
25.00%
The most popular factors in choosing the CNMI
were climate (26.49%), travel agent (24.76%),
previous trip (21.54%) and short flight (20.92%).
All top four selections posted growth as compare to January 2008.
0.00%
Travel Motivations
26.49%
24.76%
21.54%
20.92%
Previous
Short Flight
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
Climate
Travel Agent
Trip
PAGE10
10
PAGE
TOURISM
INSIGHTS
TOURISM
INSIGHTS
VISTOR PROFILE
Gender
This section provides a summary of key trends
from Korea for the month of January 2009.
Male
49%
Female
51%
KOREA
•
•
•
•
•
•
For four consecutive months, the Females continued to outnumber the Males. In January
2009, the gender breakdown was males 49%
and females 51%. The largest age group was
Under 19 which captured 24.69 percent of the
total arrivals from Korea. The second largest
age group was 35-39 with 15.29 percent and
third was 30-34 which accounted for 15.11
percent.
Out of 3,670 visitors who responded on frequency of visit. 73.41% were on their first visit
to the CNMI and 26.59% had visited the CNMI
before.
Traveling with spouse continues to lead in
travel companion trends. 50.54% indicated
that they were accompanied by their spouse.
The other top selections were traveling with
children (32.33%) and friends (16.30%).
Individual arranged were the main type of
travel arrangement for our visitors. 48.18 percent of our visitors indicated individually arranged. 29.95% were on packaged tours and
third were on group tours (10.11%).
The top four selections in travel plans during
their stay included pleasure (85.75%), golf
(10.26%), honeymoon (5.84%) and other plans
(3.12%).
The most popular motivation in choosing the
CNMI were travel agent (48.90%), followed by
internet (18.48%), friends/relatives (11.51%)
and previous trip (11.45%).
Age and Gender
1,200
male
female
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Under 19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60 - +
Travel Plans
100.00%
90.00%
85.75%
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.26%
10.00%
5.84%
3.12%
0.00%
Pleasure
Golf
60.00%
50.00%
Honeymoon
Other Plans
Travel Motivations
48.90%
40.00%
30.00%
18.48%
20.00%
11.51%
11.45%
Friends/Relatives
Previous Trip
10.00%
0.00%
Travel Agent
Internet
PAGE 11
PAGE 12
TOURISM INSIGHTS
TOURISM INSIGHTS
e
s
a
’
a
M
s
u
’
u
Si Y
rs
e
b
m
Me
MVA recognizes the following members for their generous
in-kind contributions for our programs for the month of January
2009. The members support enables MVA to expand our advertising
and marketing efforts abroad. For the month, total contributions
amounted to $33,149.40 which consists of gift certificates, complimentary and discounted accommodations, meals, and optional
tours.
Details of contributions received from Members are updated regularly by our Accounting
Division. Figures and events listed above were posted as of publication date.
COMPANY NAME
AMOUNT
AQUA RESORT CLUB
BUDGET RENT A CAR
CENTURY TOURS SAIPAN
CORAL OCEAN POINT RESORT
EMPEROR ENTERPRISE CORP.
HAFADAI BEACH HOTEL
HERTZ RENT-A-CAR
HYATT REGENCY SAIPAN
JC CAFÉ
KINPACHI RESTAURANT
MARFEGA TRADING, INC. DBA ISLANDER RENT-A-CAR
MARIANA RESORT & SPA
PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.
PACIFIC EAGLE ENTERPRISES, INC.
PACIFIC ISLANDS CLUB
PACIFIC SUBSEA SAIPAN, INC.
PALMS RESORT
R & C TOURS SAIPAN, INC.
SAIPAN SEA VENTURES
SAIPAN SHIPPING CO., INC.
SANDCASTLE SAIPAN
SUMMER HOLIDAY HOTEL
TASI TOURS & TRANSPORTATION
TASI TOURS & TRANSPORTATION
WDI SAIPAN, INC. DBA TONY ROMA'S/CAPRICCIOSA
WORLD RESORT
TOTAL
2,046.00
419.70
44.00
480.00
100.00
1,033.50
125.00
18,643.00
100.00
80.00
45.00
700.00
140.00
639.00
4,596.00
522.00
944.00
34.20
260.00
100.00
480.00
55.00
216.00
447.00
60.00
840.00
$ 33,149.40
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY
February 14-15
Tinian Hot Pepper Festival
February 21
PIC Saipan Duck Race
February 28-March 1
27th Micronesia Open
MARCH
March 6-8
17th Marianas Cup Beach Volleyball Festival
March 14
All Island Grappling/Submission Challenge
PAGE
PAGE
1312
TOURISM
INSIGHTS
TOURISM
INSIGHTS
MVA’s CORNER
Personnel Manager Polly
Deleon Guerrero was recognized
for over four years of service by
Deputy Managing Director Judy
Torres before her departure
from MVA in January 2009.
Deleon Guerrero started with
MVA in October 2004 as a Personnel Specialist II and was promoted to Personnel Manager in
February 2007. She has also
been actively involved in MVA
activities including the Taste of
the Marianas, Tourism Month,
fun runs, greeting passengers on
chartered flights. She was a
member of the Society for Human Resources Management
(SHRM) and served as SHRM Secretary in 2008.
BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR JANUARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS:
JUDY TORRES
JACK LIZAMA
VICENT MANGLONA
Jan. 1
Jan. 6
Jan. 27
Tourism Insights is a monthly newsletter designed to bring you the latest programs and events conducted by the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Tourism Insights is available online at www.mymarianas.com (under the MVA
Members’ section).
For further information, please contact our office at [email protected] or
telephone number (670) 664-3200/3201.