Hawaiian vacation spending in October this year showed an unexpected twist. Despite a drop in the number of tourists, those who did make the trip seemed to have deeper pockets, bringing up total visitor spending to $1.70 billion – a 6.7 percent increase from the year before. According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, this financial surge occurred in the face of a 2.9 percent decrease in total arrivals. Cutbacks in visitors, apparently, weren't enough to put a dent in the Aloha State's tourism industry.
U.S. West and East travelers contributed to increased spending in Hawai‘i. Daily spending per person rose to $268 (+17.3%) for U.S. West visitors and $315 for U.S. East visitors. DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka noted improvement from the Japan market, with $103.7 million in visitor spending (+15.5%) and a 16.0 percent increase in arrivals.
Visitors from Canada dropped 20.3 percent in October, while events like the Molokai Hoe World Championship men’s canoe races drew over 3,000 out-of-state visitors.
Air travel to Hawai‘i increased slightly in October, with 4,679 transpacific flights carrying just over one million seats. Hotels remain the primary choice for visitors, though rental homes and condominiums are also popular.
