Hawaii Tourism Authority Reveals Results for Two Studies on Alternative Accommodations

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) announced that two studies, commissioned by its Tourism Research Division to assess the impact of alternative accommodations in Hawaii, have been posted on its website and are available to the public for review.

Daniel Nahoopii, the HTA's director of tourism research, noted the studies, "Hawaii’s Home and Vacation Rental Market: Impact and Outlook by JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group" and "The Impact of Vacation Rental Units in Hawaii, 2016 by SMS Research and Marketing Services," provide an independent, factual analysis of how alternative accommodations affect tourism and housing availability statewide. 

The two studies complement the information provided in HTA’s annual Visitor Plant Inventory and monthly visitor statistics results.

“The depth and quality of information in the studies is illuminating, both in providing the public with a better understanding about alternative accommodations on a statewide level and how it is being utilized by visitors and residents,” said Nahoopii, in a written release. “Our responsibility at HTA extends beyond tourism marketing to doing what’s best for communities statewide. These studies help residents, policymakers and tourism stakeholders to determine what actions are appropriate going forward.” 

The current market share of visitors staying in Hawaii hotels has decreased 6 percent compared to 2000 (68 percent versus 62 percent), while total visitor arrivals have increased 23 percent over the same period.

“Alternative accommodations, particularly rentals of homes and condos by visitors, has been a segment of Hawaii’s tourism industry for more than 20 years, but has grown significantly in recent years due to increased demand by travelers,” said Nahoopoii. “It’s noteworthy that 15 percent of visitors said they would not travel to Hawaii if alternative accommodations were not available. Spending by these visitors generated an estimated $1.87 billion for Hawaii’s economy in 2016.”

The market share of visitors renting residential units and other alternative accommodations in the Hawaiian Islands is currently 10 percent. In 2015, the average occupancy of visitors renting residential units was 42 percent, with the average length of stay approximately 11 nights. The average occupancy of visitors renting primary residential units was 37 percent, and 51 percent to rent secondary or investment properties. 

Between five to nine percent of Hawaii residents are currently utilizing their properties as vacation rentals statewide. However, most of those surveyed said they do not want to continue this practice. The market share of residential units used for vacation rentals is expected to grow slowly over the next five years and peak at 12 percent total. 

A fraction of residents, 0.4 percent, are using the homes they live in to rent out rooms to visitors. Sixty percent of residents surveyed were motivated by financial necessity to offer their residential units to visitors as vacation rentals, noting the added income was needed to subsidize their housing costs. Twenty-one percent of residents stated they rented out units to meet and interact with unique people.

Visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org