18 Aug 2007

CNMI expects drop in tourist arrivals from China

10:40 am on 18 August 2007

The CNMI is expecting a drop in tourist arrivals from China at the end of this month when several providers suspend charter flights from Shanghai to Saipan.

Ronald Chan, the general manager of Century Tours, told the Saipan Tribune his company and the Tinian Dynasty Hotel reached the decision to halt the flight services after the airline, China Eastern, asked for a new charter fee hike.

Mr Chan says China Eastern raised its charter fee by 10 percent in June 2007 and issued notice for another hike of 20 percent.

He says he regrets the suspension, saying the service was enjoying a high load factor.

China Eastern's last flight to Saipan is on August 24.