The Hawaii Tourism Authority has released the preliminary numbers for visitor arrivals and for visitor spending in 2012. As expected, 2012 was a record setting year with almost 8 million visitors coming to the islands and visitor spending hitting $14.3 billion. The previous records were 7.6 visitors set in 2006 and $12.8 billion set in 2007. HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney was pleased with these numbers and expects the momentum to continue in 2013. McCartney stated, “2012 was the best year on record for Hawaii’s tourism economy. Together with our global marketing contractors and industry partners, we will continue efforts to make 2013 another successful year for Hawaii’s visitor industry.” The HTA’s goal is to have 8.2 million visitors this year and have them spend $14.88 billion.
Bank of Hawaii’s President and CEO, Peter Ho, commented that the strong tourism sector has really boosted Hawaii’s overall economy. Ho stated, “If you look at the national unemployment picture, the country is at 7.8 percent, and we are down just over 5 percent. That’s a big difference, and a large part of that is due to the success that we are having here in the visitor industry. The visitor industry is one of the primary economic drivers in our marketplace. We see that success spreading. There is increasing business and investment activity.”
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-25-2013, 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
