Photo Credit: Joshua Brazzle

Destination Update

Latest News & Events

• Tokyo-Saipan Flights to Resume on Sept. 1, 2022
  • Flights between Tokyo, Japan and Saipan in The Marianas will resume on September 1, 2022, the first direct flights between the two destinations since before the COVID pandemic.
  • United Airlines will fly three weekly flights departing Tokyo-Narita International Airport at 9:25 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays and arriving in Saipan one day later at 2 a.m. Flights from Saipan will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7 a.m. and arrive in Narita at 9:35 a.m..
  • The direct flights are supported by the CNMI Office of the Governor, Marianas Visitors Authority’s (MVA) Tourism Resumption Investment Plan (TRIP) program, and the Northern Mariana Islands Ports Authority.
• 23^rd Annual Taste of The Marianas Int’l Food Festival & Beer Garden a Hit
  • The 23rd Annual Taste of The Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden held in Saipan over two weekends in June 2021 served up a full plate of delicacies, drinks, live entertainment, and more for visitors and residents, marking another step toward tourism recovery in the destination.
  • The annual signature event of the MVA returned for its second year since the pandemic with 29 food and 4 drink vendors - more than ever - and catering to a growing number of South Korean visitors and representatives of over 20 Pacific island nations and territories who gathered on Saipan this month for the 2022 Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games.
• Saipan, Tinian, & Rota Touted to Guam Military
  • Guam military personnel had the opportunity to learn about the visitor attractions of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the Northern Islands at May’s military travel fair at Anderson Air Force Base.
  • The MVA attended the Military MWR Go Local Fair Show on May 26, 2022, which was attended by nearly 600 service members and family members. MWR stands for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.
• Marianas Marks 30 Years of Partnership with Asiana Airlines
  • On May 27, 2022, The Marianas marked 30 years of partnership with Asiana Airlines, the flagship carrier of South Korea.
  • Asiana Airlines made its inaugural flight to Saipan in The Marianas on May 27, 1992, as South Koreans began travelling internationally in increasing numbers. The tropical weather and unspoiled nature of the islands was appealing, along with the relatively short flight time of four hours from Seoul
• May: A Month to Celebrate Marianas Tourism
  • In celebration of May Tourism Month, the MVA organized a series of community events to celebrate and support the primary economic driver of The Marianas
  • Events included a proclamation signing ceremony at the Office of the Governor, Fit to Lead Marianas Tourism Month 5K, Tourism Month logo contest, a cleanup in the historic Marpi area, a Facebook photo contest, and more
• 303 Finish Saipan Marathon
  • Three hundred three runners crossed the finish line of Saipan Marathon 2022 on April 9, 2022, in The Marianas, successfully navigating their respective half-marathon, 10K, and 5K courses.
  • The original 327 registrants included 304 from The Marianas, 15 from U.S.A., 4 from Guam, and 2 from South Korea, plus two more. The breakdown by race are 86 individuals for the half-marathon, 122 for the 10K, and 119 for the 5K. It was an overwhelming young roster, with 13-17 being the largest age category.
• MVA Saipan Office Relocates to Garapan
  • After decades at its previous location in San Jose, the Marianas Visitors Authority has relocated its Saipan office to the Gold Beach Hotel 1st Floor on Beach Rd. in Garapan effective July 1, 2022
  • Office contacts remain the same: 1.670.664.3200/1, [email protected], www.mymarianas.com

Visitor Arrivals

1. May 2022: 6,939 arrivals; 1395% increase compared to May 2021 arrivals of 467
2. Calendar Year-to-date comparison show -1542% from 2021 to 2022
   • January – May 2021: 1,396 visitors
   • January – May 2022: 32,927 visitors

For more information visit:
https://www.micronesiatour.com/destinations/marianas

Member Highlight:

"We were no more than two leagues from [the island] when fifty or sixty proas under sail surrounded the fleet. These proas were furnished with lateen sails of palm mats and were as light as the wind...The day had scarcely begun when a great number of these proas appeared about us...more than four or five hundred around the ships..." — - Legazpi aboard the San Pedro as it approached the Marianas, 1565

500 Sails is a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands non-profit corporation, headquartered in Tanapag, Saipan, and committed to restoring maritime traditions in the Mariana Islands.

In February 2017, 500 Sails staff built our first Chamorro proa based on the "Anson drawing" of a Chamorro proa captured off Tinian in 1742. We've been building canoes since and developing our swimming and sailing programs thanks to the generous support of the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), the Northern Marianas Humanities Council, the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the CNMI Office of Indigenous Affairs and donations from local organizations including IT&E CNMI, the Rotary Club of Saipan, Soroptimist International Northern Mariana Islands and private individuals. Together we are working to build a healthy, thriving community by making canoe culture part of daily life in the Mariana Islands again!

Our community programs that teach swimming and sailing are open to the public and 100% free. Visit the Swim, Build, Sail Page for program information including times and locations. Also, check out 500 Sails on Facebook for the latest information and schedule changes.
We can be reached by email to [email protected] or phone (670) 323-7245.