Hawaii Hotel Rates Rising

Above, surfers on Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a vacation trip to Hawaii eight years ago before the current inflation rate made hotel accommodations very expensive. Prices have risen so much so that it is pricing out some potential visitors.

According to SFGATE:

Hawaii’s hotel room rates have increased dramatically in the past five years. It’s causing some travelers to look elsewhere, as the number of visitors to Hawaii is declining.

The state’s average daily hotel room rate increased 35% in April 2024 compared to April 2019, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Hawaii Hotel Performance Report. Oahu increased the least, at about 20%.

“It’s inflation. Some people try to blame it on Hawaii. It’s everywhere,” Jo Wattle, travel adviser and owner of Travel with Jo, told SFGATE. 

The Island of Hawaii and Kauai top the state in terms of percentage increase. Daily room rates in April 2019 were $260 and $267 respectively, while April 2024 data shows rates have increased more than 60% to $442 and $432.

Josh Hargrove, general manager of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, agrees that inflation has increased Hawaii’s overall room rates. 

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Responsible Traveling Multimedia Campaign

Above, a crescent moon over the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has rolled out a multimedia campaign to encourage responsible travel to the islands.

According to Hawaii Public Radio:

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is rolling out an extensive multimedia campaign to educate travelers coming to the islands.

The initiative is part of the HTA’s effort to improve tourism management throughout the state.

The campaign includes educational videos and safety messages that will be shown online, on airlines, at local airports and in hotels.

HTA Chief Brand Officer Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā says the overall theme of the messages is Mālama Hawaiʻi, encouraging good stewardship and responsible behavior.

The above article includes a video titled, "Hawai'i Is Our Home".

To read more and see the video, go here. 

Hawaii Magazine: 6 Tips For Traveling To Hawaii Right Now

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Planning a trip to Hawaii?

Well, although resorts and hotels are opening up, things are still a bit topsy-turvy. To navigate through the muck of regulations, Hawaii Magazine posted six tip for traveling to Hawaii right now.

They begin with:

 The recent surge in new COVID-19 cases in the U.S.—spurred by the highly contagious delta variant—is concerning for travelers, even those flying to the Islands, where daily numbers are at all-time highs. On Tuesday the state reported 389 new confirmed and probable infections statewide. Hawaiʻi has reported triple-digit cases for two weeks, peaking at 622 on Friday.

This spike comes on the heels of a summer that saw near-pre-pandemic levels of visitors. According to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, more than 2.7 million people arrived in the Islands in the first half of 2021, up 27.6% compared to the first half of 2020. In June alone, 791,053 visitors flew to Hawaiʻi from the U.S.

And while that’s great news for the state’s tourism industry, which came to a standstill during the pandemic, the onslaught of visitors to a place still dealing with COVID-19 cases and struggling with striking the right balance between reopening and keeping the community safe has created a unique set of challenges.

There are new procedures for visiting popular attractions, rules about mask-wearing, new protocols at hotels, long waits at busy restaurants and a shortage of rental cars.

Here are some tips for anyone planning to visit the Islands this year. And fair warning: Things change all the time.

To see what the six tips are, go here. 

Hawaii Rakes In The Tourist Dollars

Above, a Waikiki shopping mall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With increased numbers of travelers along with souvenir and other shops everywhere one turns while in Hawaii, it is no surprise that the "Aloha State" is raking in the bucks.

According to TravelPulse:

Hawaii might have been one of the most cautious states when it came to allowing visitors during the last 15 months of the pandemic, but it knew this day – or month – would come.

Tourism is back on the islands, for sure.

According to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), a total of 629,681 visitors arrived by air service to the Hawaiian Islands in May 2021, mainly from the U.S. West and U.S. East. In comparison, only 9,116 visitors arrived by air in May 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and Hawaii’s quarantine requirement for travelers.

But the real eye-opening number to emerge from the month of May was this – visitors spent a whopping $1.1 billion on the islands during that time.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Tourism On Life Support

Above, evening in Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This should come as no surprise that Hawaii's tourism arrivals have dropped dramatically.

Visitors from outside of Hawaii, if they did show up, would have be in quarantine for 14 days after arriving. There's no fun in that!

The May visitor numbers are now in and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported:

Visitor arrivals to the Hawaiian Islands fell by a dramatic 98.9% in May compared with a year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to preliminary statistics from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. 

The HTA released the statistics Monday, indicating dramatic declines in virtually all travel markets — from the mainland as well as Japan, Canada and other international markets, including Australia, Asia and Europe. 

A total of 9,116 visitors flew to Hawaii in May, compared with 841,376 total visitors, which included air and cruise ships, during the same month a year ago.

To read more, go here.

Hawaii Visitor Arrivals Dropped 99.5% In April

Above, the Kona International Airport on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on Hawaii travel.

The figures are now out on how many visitor arrivals to Hawaii there were in April. They are not good.

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Only 4,564 visitors traveled to Hawaii last month, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. 

That’s a 99.5% drop compared to a year ago when 856,250 visitors came by air and cruise ship. HTA did not provide a spending estimate for this April’s visitors, but it would have been minuscule compared to the $1.3 billion that visitors to Hawaii spent in April 2019. 

The decline was due to COVID-19 fears and tourism lockdowns.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Tourism: Recovery May Take Years

Above, hotels and Diamond Head in Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii's economy is primarily tourism-oriented.

The coronavirus pandemic has badly damaged that economy and, according to travel experts, it may take years to recover.

According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Occupancy at Hawaii hotels plummeted to about 10% statewide for several weeks in April as COVID-19 fears and lockdowns ravaged the state’s tourist- driven economy. 

That statistic provided by the Hawaii Tourism Authority on its COVID-19 alerts page is a sneak peak to a horror show that is yet unfolding. 

Hawaii hotels statewide were at nearly 85% occupancy in February and nearly 45% occupancy in March. The decline in that industry and others has been accelerating since late January when the United States confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus. 

Hawaii confirmed its first COVID-19 case March 6, and shortly after began implementing strict stay-in-place and social distancing policies. On March 26 it became the first state to require incoming tourists to complete a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. 

HTA reported that only 233 visitors came to Hawaii on Wednesday. From March 26 to April 30, HTA said, only 4,508 out-of-state visitors arrived. Normally, at this time of year, some 30,000 passengers would have come to Hawaii daily.

To read more, go here.

Hawaii On Pace To 10 Million Visitors

Above, a hilltop view of Diamond Head and the hotels of Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Despite setbacks from a hurricane, storms and volcanic eruptions, Hawaii is on pace to set a new record in visitors.

Travel Weekly reported:

Despite numerous bumps in the road in 2018 that could have derailed Hawaii's momentum, the state appears on track to surpass 10 million annual visitors for the first time. 

According to recently released data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Aloha State has welcomed nearly 7.5 million visitors through the first three quarters of the year, a 6.5% increase over the same period in 2017. If year-over-year figures were to remain flat over the final quarter, the state would hit nearly 9.9 million visitors, a record, based on arrivals for the final three months of 2017. If the trend of more than 6% growth in visitation continues through the end of the year, the projected total would be over 10 million. Visitor spending is also up through the first three quarters of 2018, reaching a total of $13.62 billion, a roughly 10% increase.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Visitor Spending On The Rise

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The recent hurricanes and eruptions of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii doesn't seem to have hurt visitor spending in the Hawaiian Islands as spending grew 6.4% in September over a year ago.

According to eTurboNews:

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.28 billion in September 2018, an increase of 6.4 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). 

Visitor spending increased from U.S. West (+2.5% to $460.2 million), U.S. East (+7.9% to $297.3 million) and All Other International Markets (+20.5% to $297.9 million) in September, while spending by visitors from Canada ($43 million) was virtually unchanged from last year. Spending by visitors from Japan declined (-4.1% to $179.9 million) year-over-year.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Tourism Hoping For A Turnaround

Above, Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii tourism took hits over the past several weeks due to a hurricane and the eruptions of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island. But Hawaiian tourism is hoping for a big turnaround.

According to West Hawaii Today:

KAILUA-KONA — July proved another rough month for Hawaii Island’s most lucrative industry, but tourism officials are hopeful a visitor resurgence is waiting just around the corner. 

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) initially invested in marketing and media campaigns to counteract international news coverage depicting the island as a disaster area in the wake of the Kilauea eruption, sewing seeds of doubt across the world about safety in travel. 

Now, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is spending $2 million HTA dollars on a more aggressive messaging endeavor focused heavily on U.S. and Japan travel markets in an attempt to control the narrative rather than mitigate it. 

“Our strategy is to change existing consumer perception from ‘It’s just not the right time to visit,’ to ‘Now, this may be the best time ever to visit,’” said Jay Talwar, HVCB chief marketing officer. “Be the first to see what the new lava flow has created.”

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Still Safe To Visit

Above, Diamond Head in Honolulu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With Kilauea volcano erupting on the Big Island, people are wondering if Hawaii is safe to visit.

Travel + Leisure says it's still safe.

According to their article:

There may be a volcano eruption but Hawaii is still safe to visit. 

Despite days of eruption from Kilauea volcano, the Hawaii Tourism Authority insists there is “no reason at this time for travelers to change or alter their leisure or business plans.” 

It is only a 10-square mile section of residential housing that has been affected by the lava, according to authorities. Since the lava flow began last week, it has destroyed 35 homes. The volcano is dangerous, but only for those in the evacuation zone.

All flights to and from Kona Airport are operating as usual. Hotels remain open. Businesses and schools have reopened. Limited sections of Volcanoes National Park reopened last week following a two-day closure.

However, as of yesterday, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been totally closed. Authorities are fearful that Kilauea may have an explosive eruption, so they closed the park as a precaution until further notice.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Saw Increase In February Arrivals and Spending

Above, surfers at Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

February isn't usually known as a prime vacation season for Hawaii, but this past February saw an increase in visitor arrivals and spending.

According to Pacific Business News:

Hawaii’s tourism industry enjoyed a particularly strong February during a typical shoulder season month, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. 

Visitor spending surged 12.7 percent to $1.52 billion and arrivals increased 10.3 percent to 778,571 in February, boosted by double-digit air service growth and an 8.4 percent increase in cruise ship visitors. Year-to-date spending increased 8.5 percent to $3.21 billion, while arrivals are up 7.7 percent to 1.57 million.

To read more, go here.

Hawaii Set New Spending Record In January

Above, Diamond Head at dusk. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With more airlines providing service to Hawaii and specials some of them are offering, tourism has increased over a year ago and, along with that, so has spending.

Travel Weekly reported:

Hawaii followed two straight years of record tourism numbers with a strong start to 2018.  

Visitor spending in January was $1.69 billion statewide, a 5% increase over the same period of 2017. The total set a new record for visitor spending in any single month, according to Hawaii Tourism Authority preliminary figures. Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island set individual monthly high marks for visitor spending. 

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Saw A Record 9.3 Million Visitors In 2017

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii saw more visitors in 2017, and along with that, hotel prices increased.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

Hawaii received a record 9.3 million visitors last year, a 4.6% increase from 2016. Oahu, home to Waikiki and its world-famous beach, draws the most tourists, but neighbor islands recorded the biggest increases in the number of visitors in 2017. 

With more people vacationing in Hawaii came a jump in the average hotel room cost too. 

The average daily room price in 2017 climbed to $264 a night, up $10 from the previous year. Last year marked the sixth straight year in which the average room price increased. 

The island of Hawaii experienced the biggest growth last year. Nearly 1.8 million travelers explored the island during 2017, a 14% increase from the previous year. Visitor spending was up nearly 15%.

The figures were compiled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Visitors Spent $1.29 Billion In November

Above, waterfalls on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The state of Hawaii had a very good month of November as visitor spending increased 4.5%.

Travel Agent Central reported:

Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.29 billion in November 2017, an increase of 4.5 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). 

Total visitor arrivals grew 7.3 percent to 748,303 visitors, comprising of arrivals from air service (up 7.5 percent to 738,519) and cruise ships (down 1.2 percent to 9,784).

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Investigating "Pearl Harbor" Website

Above, the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It pays to research website that purports to be something they're not. 

The state of Hawaii is investigating a website that claims to offer tours of the memorials and monument at Pearl Harbor.

The New Haven Register reported:

HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection is investigating representations made by a privately owned website that offers tours of the memorials and monument at Pearl Harbor, according to agency officials. 

The Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau does not appear to have any ties with government-sanctioned tourism entities such as the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau or the organizations that support and operate the Pearl Harbor sites, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. 

"We have never heard of this organization," said Charlene Chan, director of communications for the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Visitors, Spending Up In October

Above, the "infinity pool" at the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the benefits of a booming economy is that people feel more comfortable in taking vacations and spending more.

Such is the case with Hawaii. The October numbers are in and they bode well for Hawaii tourism.

According to U.S. News & World Report:

HONOLULU (AP) — The Hawaii Tourism Authority says the number of visitors to the state rose nearly 3 percent in October compared to the year before. 

The state tourism agency said Thursday spending by travelers topped $1.3 billion during the month. That's an increase of more than 4 percent compared to the same month last year.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Visitor Spending Up 7.1% In 2017

Above, dancers at the Big Kahuna Luau in Honolulu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

2017 has been very good for the Hawaiian tourism industry thus far.

The following was posted by eTurboNews:

George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), issued the following statement regarding Hawaii’s visitor statistics results for the first three quarters of 2017. 

“The hard work by Hawaii’s tourism industry professionals has produced strong results in the first three quarters of this year and continues to contribute significantly to the health of the State’s economy. Spending from visitors has increased by 7.1 percent to more than $12.5 billion, which generated $1.47 billion in tax revenue for the State, a gain of $96.5 million over last year’s pace. 

“The growth in visitor spending is broad-based with double-digit increases reported for Hawaii’s four major source markets, U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada. Accordingly, the economies of our four island counties are continuing to benefit, led by the island of Hawaii with a gain of 16.4 percent in visitor spending that is a direct result of the additional air access introduced this year."

 To read more, go here.

Hawaii Tourist Spending Up 8.7% In May

Above, a hillside view of Honolulu with Diamond Head in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

May tourist spending is up 8.7% over last year, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Travel Agent Central reported:

Visitor spending in Hawaii rose 8.7 percent year over year in May for a total of $1.3 billion, according to the latest statistics from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). 

Total visitor arrivals also rose 4.5 percent, fueled by growth in air arrivals (up 3.9%) and cruise arrivals (up 49.1%). 

Hawaii’s four largest visitor markets -- the western United States, eastern United States, Japan and Canada -- all reported year-over-year increases in visitor spending and arrivals for the third straight month in May. Spending from the western U.S. rose 9 percent, while spending from the eastern U.S. was up 16.4 percent. Visitor spending from Japan rose 9.7 percent, buoyed by the introduction of direct air service to Kona and increased air service to Honolulu, while the Canada market continued to rebound with an increase in visitor spending of 19.2 percent. Visitor spending from all other international markets combined declined in May by 3.9 percent due to a drop in visitor arrivals and lower daily spending.

To read more, go here. 

Airlines Confident Hawaii Is A Top Travel Destination

Above, the show at the Big Kahuna Luau in Honolulu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hawaii seems to be a big draw for world travelers. (Frankly, I don't see any reason for doubting that.)

eTurboNews reported:

The President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, George D. Szigeti, says that more than ever, global travelers want to visit to Hawaii. They want to bask in the beauty of the islands, feel the warmth of aloha, and experience a welcoming culture found nowhere else. 

Adding flights to the Hawaiian Islands is a clear sign of confidence in Hawaii’s tourism industry by air carriers able to fly their aircraft anywhere in the world. In response, Hawaiian Airlines, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia X, Virgin America, Japan Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have all either added new Hawaii routes or are expanding existing service from key markets worldwide.

To read more, go here.