Hawai‘i Visitor Spending Rose 9 Percent in April 2017

Four Largest Visitor Markets Reported Growth in Spending and Arrivals

News Release from HTA, May 25, 2017

HONOLULU – Visitors spent a total of $1.3 billion in the Hawaiian Islands in April 2017, an increase of 9 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). Total visitor arrivals also grew 7.5 percent to 752,964 visitors. Hawai‘i’s four largest visitor markets, U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada, all realized growth in visitor spending and arrivals in April 2017 compared to a year ago.

From the U.S West, visitor spending rose in April 2017 (+17% to $490.4 million) boosted by an increase in arrivals (+9.4% to 321,877). Contributing to the increase in visitor arrivals was having the Easter holiday take place in April of this year versus March of last year. U.S. West visitors also spent more per day (+7.5% to $176 per person) this April compared to last year.

From the U.S. East, visitor spending grew in April 2017 (+12.2% to $298.6 million), spurred by an increase in arrivals (+10.7% to 147,532) and higher visitor spending (+1.2% to $215 per person).

The Japan visitor market continued to produce positive results due to the launch of direct air service to Kona, increased air service to Honolulu, and the start of Golden Week, traditionally a period of growth for outbound Japan travel. Visitor spending rose in April 2017 (+4.6% to $145.6 million), as did arrivals (+8.4% to 109,604). However, daily spending of $222 per person was down slightly compared to April 2016 ($227 per person).

The Canada market continued to recover from sharp decreases in visitor spending and visitor arrivals for most of last year. In April 2017, visitor spending (+21.5% to $90.4 million) and arrivals (+17.9% to 48,952) showed substantial increases compared to a year ago.

Visitor spending from All Other International markets declined in April 2017 (-7.9% to $220.9 million), as lower daily spending offset the increase in arrivals (+2.1% to 109,818).

Visitor spending and arrivals increased for all four larger Hawaiian Islands in April 2017 compared to the year prior. The island of Hawai‘i, in particular, saw double-digit growth in visitor spending and arrivals, supported by increased direct air service from the U.S. and Japan.

The total number of air seats serving Hawai‘i in April 2017 was similar (+0.4% to 978,406) to a year ago. Growth in scheduled seats from U.S. East (+14.5%), Japan (+8%) and Canada (+3%) balanced out declines from U.S. West (-1.5%), Other Asia (-10.9%) and Oceania (-13.3%).

Year-to-Date 2017

Visitor spending statewide rose through the first four months of 2017 (+10.1% to $5.6 billion), bolstered by increases in visitor arrivals (+4.2% to 3,017,867) and daily spending (+5.6% to $203 per person).

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