Visitor Arrivals Increase, Spending Flat in August 2013

According to a report issued by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a total of 748,775 visitors came to Hawaii in August 2013.  This represented a 2.5 percent increase from the same month a year prior.  However, spending remained flat a $1.2 billion, the exact same amount as August 2012.  President and CEO for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Mike McCartney, stated, "While the growth in August was not as robust as in previous months, it is important to note that due to continued efforts to increase distribution statewide, we have been successful in increasing total expenditures on the neighbor islands. As we come out of the peak summer travel season, visitor arrivals and spending for the year continue to surpass 2012. We anticipate seeing a slowing in arrivals and expenditures as we enter the fall shoulder season. We will continue to monitor the fluctuating fuel costs, strengthening of the dollar against international currencies and other economic conditions, which have been impacting visitor length of stay."

Outrigger Enterprises Group's Executive Vice President of Hospitality Services, Barry Wallace, commented, "The HTA report doesn't match our experiences in Waikiki. We looked a August as a very strong month, and we are hopeful that will continue.  I think this year is going to go into the record books as one of the good ones, and we have every reason to suspect that 2014 will be just as strong. In other markets if you had occupancy at these levels, you would build new hotels. Inventory is tight in Waikiki, and it's only going to get tighter when several hotels close for renovations. That may finally bring needed occupancy improvements to some neighbor island markets."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 9-27-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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