Tourism arrivals still fall short of 2019 numbers

Visitor arrivals are low in the region, with nowhere to go but up.

More bad news includes likely food poisoning for Japan visitors, in a tourist market sensitive to negative factors.

Travelers to Guam and NMI will need US ETA

Eligible travelers from the following Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program countries, Australia, Brunei (Must have more than six months passport validity), Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, entering Guam International Airport are required to apply for and receive an approved Guam-CNMI Electronic Travel Authorization in advance.

U.S. Customs and Border Protections recommends travelers complete the Guam-CNMI ETA application no less than five days prior to travel at the CBP site.

During the 60-day transition period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 29, travelers will continue to be able to present a signed paper I-736 form upon arrival to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Effective Nov.30 the paper CBP Form I-736 will become obsolete. There is currently no charge for the ETA.

Travelers from Guam had suspected food poisoning

Thirty-four passengers including high school students showed signs of illness before boarding Japan Airlines flight 942 and United Airlines Flight 873 from Guam to Narita on Nov. 7, according to Narita Airport and Chiba Prefecture authorities. Of the 16 passengers on the JAL flight and 18 on the United flight, 14 required hospital care.

No word yet on where the visitors ate prior to departure.

Palau Visitor numbers drop in September

September visitor arrivals decreased to 4,114, with 1,408 visitors from China, and 793 from Taiwan. Palau saw 4,846 visitors in August and 4,599 in July.

According to a Nov. 8 release from the Palau Visitors Authority, Palau is “projecting an estimated total of around 55,000 visitors for the year.”

In fiscal 2019 the country saw 89,379 visitors, that number also lower than the 168,424 visitors Palau saw in fiscal 2015.

The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported a 43.0% average occupancy rate among 11 member hotels for September, nearly even with 43.29% average occupancy among 11 hotels in September 2023.

A total of 27,065 of 62,915 available room nights sold during September compared to 27,146 of 62,710 available rooms sold in September 2023. The average room rate was $130.88 compared to $144.24 last September.

HANMI reported a 66.15% average occupancy rate among its 11 member hotels for September 2019. The figure reflects a 15% decrease for the association’s member hotels compared to September 2018.

Airport revealing noise exposure

The A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam is holding a workshop and open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 14 on the Draft Noise Exposure Map at the start of a 30-day public review period through Dec. 14.

The report is available for download from the airport’s site, as well as in hard copy form at the airport, and the Hagåtña and Barrigada libraries, and comments will be received until Dec. 14. mbj