The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands said that T’way will suspend one daily flight starting this month from Korea to Saipan. Jeju Air will also drop one daily flight until December. As a result, HANMI has started talking to tourism stakeholders to soften the blow.

“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,” said HANMI Chairman Dennis Seo.  “Our Board reached out to Governor Palacios earlier this month to express our dire concerns, and after a productive discussion with him, we’re optimistic we can reverse this drop-off quickly with the buy-in of all partners.”

Seo held meetings with T’way, Jeju Air, and Asiana Airlines in Seoul on Sept. 19.

“With the pledged support of the Commonwealth Ports Authority, the Marianas Visitors Authority, and our member hotels ,the airlines appear willing to reconsider their flight suspensions this season.  Now it’s a matter of ensuring the verbal agreements reached are formalized,” Seo added.

Meanwhile, HANMI reported a 45% hotel occupancy among its 11 members in August this year, compared to a 53% average occupancy in August 2023.