Hawaii Travel Is Affected By Economic Times

Travels to Hawaii have decreased significantly compared to this time last year. According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, spending by passengers traveling by air fell $133 million to $754.8 million since May 2008. Travelers who vacationed in Hawaii last month spent $165 per person, as opposed to the $185 per person spent by guests in May 2008, and total travel to Hawaii by air and cruise declined 10.3 percent from the same period last year to 2.6 million visitors.

Hawaii's top visitor market air arrivals from the U.S. West in May rose 4 percent when arrivals by air from the U.S. East declined 8.9 percent. Air travel from Japan dropped 15 percent and Canadian air travel was down 12.4 percent.

“May’s visitor statistics continue to reflect global economic challenges that are affecting Hawaii,” said state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert in a statement. “Additionally, concerns over the H1N1 flu virus have impacted visitor arrivals and caused a double-digit decrease in visitors from Japan.”

These major islands reported decreases on arrival in May:
*    Oahu was down 6.4 percent to 325,724 visitors. Spending there was down 17 percent to $405.6 million.

*    Kauai arrivals were down 5.9 percent to 82,013. Spending was down 5.6 percent to 83 million.

*    Maui arrivals were down 13.9 percent to 145,790. Spending there was down 13.7 percent to $180.7 million.

*    The Big Island saw a 10.4 percent decrease in visitors to 91,224. Spending was down 15 percent to $78.1 million.