SAIPAN — Hotel occupancy in the CNMI averaged 29.47 percent among nine member properties in March 2026, the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands reported, down from 34.73 percent in March 2025.
Hotels sold 14,618 of 49,599 available room nights in March 2026, compared to 18,011 of 51,856 available room nights in March 2025. The average room rate was $100.49, down from $112.77 a year earlier.
HANMI said the figures reflect a reduction in total room inventory tied to the temporary closure of GrandVrio Resort Saipan and the exclusion of March statistics from LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort. The association said it is still compiling April 2026 data as hotels focus on recovery from the storm, which struck in mid-April.
The association said it anticipates the restart of international flights on June 20 with the completion of repairs to Francisco C. Ada Saipan International Airport, as announced by the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
HANMI Chairman Ivan Quichocho said several hotels, including Aqua Resort Club, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan and Surfrider Resort Hotel, are receiving guests again, while other member properties are opening soon or need more time to finish repairs.
“We are looking forward to the reboot of our tourism economy with the resumption of international flights beginning June 20,” Quichocho said. “We sincerely thank everyone who continues to work to lift our community to get people back on their feet, to clean up, and to prepare to share our beautiful islands with the world once again.”
Quichocho said awareness of the Marianas as a travel destination continues to grow despite global challenges including rising fuel costs and shifting market conditions. He said partners in Washington are becoming more aware of the economic tools the commonwealth needs to be self-sufficient, while relief agencies, recovery workers and volunteers from across the nation contribute to recovery efforts as they experience the community firsthand.
The hotels included in HANMI’s monthly statistical report are Aqua Resort Club Saipan, Aquarius Beach Tower, Century Hotel, Coral Ocean Resort, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Kensington Hotel Saipan, LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Saipan World Resort and Surfrider Resort Hotel.