With air service from South Korea reduced to a single carrier, Saipan World Resort is shifting its focus to local customers after announcing a temporary scale-down of operations.
In an interview with Marianas Press, general manager Jaewan Rhee said the Susupe property will now cater primarily to the domestic market as inbound tourism continues to slump due to limited flights and high travel costs.
“We are not [going to] close… we open our operation only for local market,” Rhee said. “All rooms [are open], main pool and beach… we close only water park and then meal.”
The move comes as flights from South Korea—Saipan’s main source market—have dropped to just Jeju Air, with T’way Air suspending its Seoul-Saipan service from May 5 to Oct. 24, 2026, covering the summer schedule.
Rhee said the prolonged lack of airlift has pushed the resort into years of losses.
“We never close. Since pandemic, we keep on open… but every month we minus,” he said. “Almost three years, three and a half years, keep on minus our revenue. Now [it’s a] serious situation.”
World Resort’s occupancy has fallen to unsustainable levels with an average of below 12%, he added.
With fewer tourists arriving, the Susupe hotel has shut down its water park and select dining outlets, while maintaining limited operations for local guests.
“Because local market… they don’t like to eat [in hotel],” he said, explaining the decision to scale back food services.
Rhee pointed to rising fuel surcharges as another major factor discouraging travel.
“Fuel cost is very high… airplane cost is almost $600 to $700,” he said. “If like this, nobody come.”
Despite the cutbacks, he emphasized the scale-down is temporary and tied to the return of flights.
“Depends on the flight… if getting to two flight, three flight… we reopen,” Rhee said.
In the meantime, the resort plans to use the lull to upgrade facilities.
“Low occupancy, we try to repair… make it more [improved],” he said.
Management is also reviewing staffing as part of the adjustment, though no final decisions have been detailed.
“We are processing now… discuss with the [the Department of Labor],” Rhee said, adding that the company hopes to retain some workers and rehire once business improves.
Rhee underscored that the situation extends beyond a single property, affecting the broader tourism-dependent economy.
“If hotel is good business, other community [will] grow up,” he said. “But now only one flight… we fighting each other.”
He reiterated a call for increased air service into Saipan.
“First, really need airplane. Need three or four… same as 2017, 2018,” he said.
In an earlier written statement, World Resort said the temporary scale-down is aimed at strengthening long-term sustainability while it continues to support the CNMI community and prepare for a recovery in visitor arrivals.
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