Hawaii Visitor Spending Increased 1.4 Percent to $1.41 Billion in August 2018

HTA News Release (18-72), September 27, 2018

HONOLULU – Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.41 billion in August 2018, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to a year ago, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

Among Hawaii’s four largest visitor markets, visitor spending in August rose from U.S. West (+0.8% to $494.1 million), U.S. East (+0.8% to $331 million) and Canada (+4.0% to $53.0 million) but declined from Japan (-1.5% to $228.2 million) compared to a year ago. Combined visitor spending from All Other International Markets (+5.3% to $305.8 million) increased year-over-year.

On a statewide level, visitor spending on an average daily basis was down (-2.2% to $193 per person) in August compared to last year. Visitors from Canada (+8.0%), Japan (+0.4%) and from All Other International Markets (+0.7%) spent more per day, while visitors from U.S. East (-6.5%) and U.S. West (-3.6%) spent less.

Total visitor arrivals increased 3.2 percent to 845,072 visitors in August with all arrivals via air travel. No out-of-state cruise ships visited Hawaii during August. Total visitor days[1] rose 3.7 percent. The statewide average daily census[2], or the number of visitors on any given day in August, was 235,963, up 3.7 percent from last year.

Visitor arrivals increased in August from U.S. West (+5.2% to 359,752) and U.S. East (+8.8% to 173,610) but declined from Japan (-0.6% to 159,395) and Canada (-4.7% to 28,163). Arrivals from All Other International Markets was flat (-0.2% to 124,152) compared to last August.

Oahu recorded increases in both visitor spending (+3.5% to $723.4 million) and visitor arrivals (+3.7% to 536,181) in August year-over-year. Kauai reported growth in visitor spending (+7.0% to $157.7 million) and arrivals (+3.0% to 115,242). Maui saw a decline in spending (-2.6% to $355.2 million) despite growth in arrivals (+5.5% to 246,063). The island of Hawaii recorded decreases in visitor spending (-4.4% to $166.1 million) and arrivals (-12.0% to 134,215) compared to last year.

A total of 1,162,380 trans-Pacific air seats serviced the Hawaiian Islands in August, up 6.0 percent from last year, with growth in air seat capacity from U.S. East (+11.5%), Oceania (+9.4%), Other Asia (+7.1%), U.S. West (+6.8%), Canada (+1.9%) and Japan (+1.6%).

Year-to-Date 2018

Year-to-date through August, statewide visitor spending of $12.34 billion (+8.8%) surpassed the results for the same period last year. Visitor spending increased from U.S. West (+8.8% to $4.51 billion), U.S. East (+8.3% to $3.24 billion), Japan (+5.8% to $1.57 billion), Canada (+7.4% to $758.3 million) and from All Other International Markets (+12.5% to $2.23 billion).

Statewide average daily spending by visitors rose to $203 per person (+2.2%) through the first eight months of 2018.

Year-to-date, total visitor arrivals increased (+7.2% to 6,767,275) versus last year, with growth from U.S. West (+10.1% to 2,845,510), U.S. East (+8.1% to 1,527,087), Japan (+0.9% to 1,044,039), Canada (+4.6% to 360,928) and All Other International Markets (+6.8% to 923,056).

All four larger Hawaiian Islands realized growth in both visitor spending and arrivals over the first eight months of 2018.

[1] Aggregate number of days stayed by all visitors.

[2] Average daily census is the average number of visitors present on a single day.

  *   *   *   *   *

HTA: Statement by George D. Szigeti RE: Hawaii’s Visitor Statistics Results for August 2018  

“Although both visitor spending and arrivals increased in August compared to a year ago, we expected better results for this peak travel month. Hurricane Lane deterred a segment of travelers from staying in the Hawaiian Islands, which was compounded by the continuing negative effect Kilauea volcano had on the island of Hawaii.

“The 1.4 percent increase in visitor spending for August was the lowest of any month since May 2016. Additionally, the $1.41 billion in total visitor spending was the lowest of any month so far this year. These figures are a reminder as to how vulnerable tourism can be to events beyond our control and why we can never assume the impressive rates of growth Hawaii was achieving the first half of this year will continue unabated for the foreseeable future.

HTA: RevPAR ($220) and ADR ($282) Increased for Hawaii Hotels Statewide in August, But Occupancy Decreased (78.3%) Due to Hurricane Lane  

HTH: Officials hopeful tourism numbers will soon turn corner after a tumultuous stretch