According to a report released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $12.58 billion in 2011. This equates to the second highest annual total ever, surpassed only the record set in 2007 of $12.63 billion. A total of 7.28 million visitors arrived in Hawaii in 2011. Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO, Mike McCartney, stated, “We will continue to work together with our marketing partners and the visitor industry to sustain the momentum we saw last year and achieve steady growth for another momentous year in 2012.”
However, there is some concern from industry experts who are feeling the competition from other tropical destinations like Mexico. President of Pleasant Holidays LLC, Jack Richards, commented, “Mexico is spending a lot of money in the U.S., and we’re seeing a shift in business to Mexico from Hawaii. The Mexico tourism board is comparing itself to Hawaii in their ads. They’re saying Hawaii is too expensive.” Richards added, “There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic, but it has to be guarded optimism.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-31-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
