Hawaii’s Visitor Spending Surpasses $7 Billion in First Half of 2014

hawaiiHawaii’s tourism economy continues to fare well and is on pace with last year’s record-breaking year in spending and arrivals, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

During the first half of 2014, visitor expenditures contributed $178 million more into the state’s economy compared to last year, which represents $7.4 billion in total expenditures or $19 million in state tax revenue. During the first six months of the year, visitors spent an average of $40.2 million statewide per day, $19.3 million on Oahu, $11.4 million on Maui, $4.1 million on Kauai and $5.4 million on Hawaii Island.

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“Despite these gains, we are cognizant of changing trends in visitor length of stay and spending,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the HTA, in a written release. “Visitors are exercising more caution in keeping within their budget threshold as the cost of a Hawaiian vacation increases, competition from alternative destinations grows and the U.S. dollar becomes stronger against foreign currencies.”

McCartney also said that he anticipates “seeing a bump” in air seats from North America in the latter half of the year, specifically out of Los Angeles and Seattle.

“Maintaining the momentum that Hawaii’s tourism economy experienced last year will be a priority for us as we look to the latter half of 2014 and 2015,” he said. “We look forward to providing opportunities and insight on how we can work together to continue this growth at our upcoming Hawaii Tourism Conference on August 28 and 29.”

Visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org and www.gohawaii.com.