Hawai‘i Visitor Spending Increased 9.8 Percent in July 2017

News Release from HTA August 31, 2017

HONOLULU – Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.59 billion in July 2017, an increase of 9.8 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). Total visitor arrivals rose 6.8 percent to 891,878 visitors, bolstered by growth in arrivals from air (+6.4% to 888,236) and cruise ships (+282.5% to 3,641).

Of Hawai‘i’s major markets, the U.S. East reported the largest gain in visitor spending in July 2017 (+21.7% to $452.5 million) compared to a year ago. Visitor arrivals were up significantly (+11% to 208,530), supported by increased air seat capacity from Dallas and Minneapolis. Average daily visitor spending was also higher (+10.2% to $215 per person).

Spending by visitors from U.S West rose in July 2017 (+9.5% to $598.8 million) versus last year, boosted by an increase in arrivals (+5.4% to 385,235 visitors) and higher daily spending (+3.7% to $168 per person).

The Japan market continued to report year-over-year growth in visitor spending and arrivals in July 2017 due to increased air service to Kona and Honolulu. Visitor spending grew (+5.5% to $192.5 million), fueled by increased arrivals (+7% to 136,300), which offset slightly lower daily spending (-1.6% to $232 per person).

For the Canada market, visitor spending decreased in July 2017 (-8.9% to $46.6 million) compared to last year. Visitor arrivals rose (+3.4% to 26,691) but daily spending declined (-10.6% to $148 per person) from a year ago.

Visitor spending from All Other International markets increased in July 2017 (+1.1% to $295.2 million), as growth in arrivals (+2.8% to 131,482) offset lower daily spending.

The island of Hawai‘i reported a sharp increase in visitor spending in July 2017 (+23.2% to $216.7) compared to a year ago. Visitor spending also grew on O‘ahu (+10.3% to $764.4 million) and Maui (+8.4% to $432.5 million), but decreased slightly on Kaua‘i (-0.7% to $165.5 million).

Total air seats serving Hawai‘i increased in July 2017 (+3.1% to 1,139,710) compared to last year. Double-digit growth in scheduled seats from U.S. East (+21.8%) and Japan (+18.3%) offset declines from Oceania (-5.1%) and U.S. West (-1.2%).

Year-to-Date 2017

Visitor spending statewide increased through the first seven months of 2017 (+8.9% to $9.95 billion), bolstered by growth in arrivals (+4.7% to 5,496,854) and daily spending (+4% to $200 per person).

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