4.3 Percent Fewer Visitor Arrivals in February 2014

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, there were 4.3 percent fewer visitors arriving in February 2014 as compared to the same month a year prior.  These 646,759 visitors spent $1.2 billion, or 0.6 percent less than February 2013.  President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Mike McCartney, stated, "In the first 59 days of this year, we experienced a plateauing or leveling off of arrivals and expenditures.   Right now what I see happening is everyone is going after (his or her) piece of the pie.  But how many of the people do you know that are baking pies? We've got to start baking pies. If we don't, we are in trouble. We have to work together collectively and collaboratively. In 2014 we've got to put together the team, reset and get to work."

McCartney added that the Hawaii Tourism Authority will focus their attentions on growing arrivals from international markets like South Korea, China and Taiwan.  McCartney commented, "Our pivot to further develop international markets will help sustain Hawaii's tourism economy for the long term. We see tremendous potential and are committed to diversifying our global portfolio as well as increasing the meetings, conventions and incentives market segment and first-time visitors.  It is important that we offer our visitors greater ease of access to all of our Hawaiian Islands and need to secure additional airlift so that international visitors are able to experience all of the unique attributes of our Hawaiian Islands, beyond Waikiki. We will continue to work towards re-establishing Kona as a second international port of entry, as well as increasing more neighbor island connections during peak international arrival times on Oahu."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 3-28-2014, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Principal Broker, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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