Hawai‘i Visitor Spending Increased 8.7 Percent in May 2017

News Release from HTA, June 29, 2017

HONOLULU – Visitors spent a total of $1.3 billion in the Hawaiian Islands in May 2017, an increase of 8.7 percent versus a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). In addition, total visitor arrivals rose 4.5 percent to 751,191 visitors fueled by growth in arrivals by air (+3.9% to 737,254) and by cruise ships (+49.1% to 13,937).

Hawai‘i’s four largest visitor markets, U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada, all reported year over-year increases in visitor spending and arrivals for the third straight month in May 2017.

Spending by U.S West visitors rose in May 2017 (+9% to $478.7 million) boosted by growth in arrivals (+2.8% to 313,654) and higher daily spending (+5.3% to $172 per person).

The U.S. East market recorded a strong month in May 2017 compared to a year ago. Total spending increased (+16.4% to $351 million), as did spending per day (+7.4% to $208 per person). Arrivals grew (+10.7% to 173,010) supported by air seat capacity increases to Honolulu and Kahului.

The Japan market continued to benefit from the introduction of direct air service to Kona and increased air service to Honolulu. Visitor spending (+9.7% to $168.8 million), visitor arrivals (+4.4% to 117,970) and daily spending (+3.8% to $246 per person) were all higher versus last year.

The Canada market continued to rebound, as both visitor spending (+19.2% to $46.1 million) and arrivals (+16.6% to 25,396) increased in May 2017 year-over-year.

Visitor spending from All Other International markets declined in May 2017 (-3.9% to $232.9 million) due to a drop in visitor arrivals (-5.4% to 107,224) and lower daily spending.

All four larger Hawaiian Islands saw growth in visitor spending and arrivals in May 2017 compared to a year ago. Kaua‘i and the island of Hawai‘i have both recorded double-digit growth in visitor spending in each of the first five months of 2017.

Total air seats serving Hawai‘i in May 2017 dropped slightly (-0.7% to 971,957) versus last year. Growth in scheduled seats from U.S. East (+10.6%) and Japan (+6.5%) were offset by declines from Other Asia (-17.3%), Oceania (-13.1%) and U.S. West (-1.6%).

Year-to-Date 2017

Visitor spending statewide increased through the first five months of 2017 (+9.8% to $6.9 billion) bolstered by growth in arrivals (+4.2% to 3,769,058) and daily spending (+5.2% to $202 per person).

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