S. Korean visitors to Saipan more than triples due to travel bubble

South Korean visitors to Saipan more than tripled from 319 in August to 1,081 passengers in September due to the travel bubble agreement signed in June between the two countries.

The number of South Korean visitors to the island dipped to 198 during the fourth week of September when a three-day Chuseok holiday fell but marked a rapid recovery to a total of 452 from Oct. 3 to Oct. 9, based on the number of passengers from the Incheon International Airport to Saipan.

Kensington Hotel Saipan, which hosts the quarantined foreign tourists for five days after arrival, is almost fully booked.

Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air Co., and T’way Air, which service the Incheon-Saipan route weekly are mulling to increase flight frequency.

South Koreans would also be allowed to visit Singapore without quarantine beginning next month.

While the agreements would support the aviation industry, it would take time for South Korean budget airlines to improve their earnings.

The demand for international flights has yet to recover, while there is cut-throat competition in the domestic flight market.