Hotel Occupancy Varies Between Hawaiian Islands

Pacific Business News is reporting that hotel occupancy and room rates on the Big Island of Hawaii grew for the week ending April 11, in sharp contrast to declines on other Hawaiian islands.

The increases were likely because of strong attendance at the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a hula competition and cultural celebration that runs through Saturday in Hilo.

As compared with the same week last year, Big Island occupancy eased 0.1 percentage points upward to 62.2 percent, while room rates jumped 5.4 percent to average $194 a night.

Statewide hotel occupancy, meantime, dropped 8.8 percentage points to 64.2 percent, while room rates slid 7.4 percent to $189.

Occupancy and room rates for the other major Hawaiian islands were as follows:

Oahu occupancy slid 10.1 percentage points to 66 percent, while room rates collapsed 14.1 percent to $149;

Maui occupancy plunged 11.6 percentage points to 62.2 percent, while room rates dipped 2.2 percent to $266; and

Kauai occupancy fell 9 percentage points to 62.8 percent, while room rates declined 8.2 percent to $201.

Nationwide hotel occupancy slipped 11.5 percentage points to 52.6 percent, while room rates slumped 12.5 percent to average $96 a night.

The weekly Hawaii hotel industry snapshot is surveyed by Smith Travel Research and Hospitality Advisors.