Visitor arrivals to the Northern Mariana Islands fell sharply in June 2026 as the tourism industry continued to feel the effects of Super Typhoon Sinlaku and the temporary suspension of international flights.
According to the Marianas Visitors Authority, the Marianas recorded 1,497 visitor arrivals in June 2026, down 81% from the 7,874 visitors reported in June 2025. The decline follows similar year-over-year decreases of 72% in April and 81% in May after Sinlaku struck the islands in mid-April and disrupted air service.
The tourism agency said that many arrivals during the three months following the typhoon were rescue, relief and recovery personnel rather than leisure travelers. International flights began gradually resuming in late June, signaling the start of tourism recovery efforts.
South Korea, traditionally the Marianas' largest visitor market, generated only 57 arrivals in June, a steep drop from 4,793 arrivals during the same month last year.
Air connectivity from South Korea began improving when Jeju Air resumed direct Seoul-Saipan service on June 20. The carrier has announced plans to maintain four weekly flights through March 2027.
As part of its recovery strategy, the Marianas Visitors Authority participated in the Brand USA Korea Sales Mission in Seoul in July, promoting the destination to travel agents and tourism industry partners. The agency also hosted a golf-focused familiarization trip for South Korean travel trade representatives seeking to rebuild interest in the destination.
The Japanese market also recorded significant declines, with arrivals dropping 91% to 48 visitors in June compared to 519 a year earlier.
The tourism outlook improved slightly after United Airlines resumed direct flights between Tokyo Narita and Saipan on Aug. 2. To support the route's return, the MVA launched promotional campaigns with Japanese travel companies and participated in tourism sales missions in Tokyo and Osaka.
Visitor arrivals from China declined 53% year over year, totaling 44 visitors in June compared with 94 arrivals in June 2025.
The MVA noted that Hong Kong Airlines resumed Hong Kong-Saipan service on July 12, a move expected to help boost arrivals from the region. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese visitors accounted for approximately 44% of total Marianas tourism arrivals, with many traveling under the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program.
Despite reduced international traffic, travelers from Guam and the United States accounted for the majority of June arrivals.
The MVA reported 697 visitors from the U.S. mainland, 509 from Guam, and 142 from other markets combined. United Airlines continues to operate daily service from Guam to Saipan. Philippine Airlines is scheduled to resume direct Manila-Saipan flights in October 2026.
Tourism officials have expressed optimism that the gradual restoration of international air service will help accelerate the Marianas' recovery in the months ahead as marketing efforts continue in key source markets.
