Hawaii's Numbers Keep Rising

Here is some promising news about travel to Hawaii: Honolulu is experiencing a 17 percent increase in committed occupancy from September 2010 to August 2011, Rubicon chairman Steve Swope told Travel Agent, citing increase and return of airlift after a drop in flights in 2009 and 2008.

Meanwhile, Condominium Connection, a Hawaii travel wholesaler, is reporting that booking trends for the remainder of 2010 indicate Hawaii travel is on the rebound. Further, the company is experiencing a substantial pickup in activity related to 2011 travel. On the downside, greater demand is already showing signs of rising hotel costs and sold-out dates, which haven’t been prevalent this early for several years.

“Particularly on Oahu and Maui, we’re seeing a strengthening of hotel and condominium reservations at all price levels," says Joseph Fienberg, Condominium Connection's president. "The strongest demand is currently for January and February with consumers continuing to look for added-values that stretch their travel dollars.”

Fienberg advises travel agents to encourage their clients to book early. “As space books up, prices will be higher,” he notes. “Three years ago, we were selling at one, fixed rate until all of the space was sold-out.  Today, as we get closer to a sold-out situation, the rates are being yielded up by the properties. We may still have space, but it will be more expensive.”

Fienberg adds, “Although consumers have become very adept at seeking out bargains, the hotel pricing landscape is starting to swing back to a supply and demand scenario of years past.  Prices are being yielded to higher rate tiers as departure dates get closer and we’re seeing some hotels sold out, which hasn’t been a factor for some time now.”