By Carolyn Lucas-Zenk
By Carolyn Lucas-Zenk
Stephens Media
Nonstop international travel yields a lot more than convenience. It also means more money poured into the local economy, which is why tourism and county officials are pressing to bring more international service to Kona and diversify the market.
Japanese visitors statewide in January spent an average of $340 per person per day, while American visitors spent less than $200 daily, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Officials are actively pursuing direct flights to Kona from Japan, Canada, Australia, China, Korea and Taiwan, said George Applegate, Big Island Visitors Bureau executive director.
Kona and Honolulu are the only international airports in the state. The status allows aircraft from foreign countries to fly directly into Kona, which is less crowded than Honolulu, and clear customs in less than an hour. Without the status, aircraft would have to fly into another designated airport before arriving in Kona, costing time and money, as well as hurting Big Island businesses, Applegate said.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has been working closely with various tourism wholesalers and stakeholders to develop various island-specific products and rebuilding the Hawaii Island brand. Tourism officials are also hoping to capitalize on the Big Island’s surging popularity. For instance, the Big Island was voted the top Hawaiian Island and ranked No. 7 on the list of Top Islands Overall in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2011 readers’ survey, Applegate said.
“With the increasing interest, it is essential that we have the air access to support the demand,” he added.
Mayor Billy Kenoi could not be reached as of press time Monday. However, in his remarks made last month to the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Kenoi said the tourism industry has been continuing to offer incentives for private charters directly from Japan, in an effort to keep Kona International Airport’s international designation.
“If we lose that designation in Kona, we lose our capacity to grow in the future,” he said at the time.
Those efforts have paid off. Kona International Airport will welcome three charter flights from Japan this month. The largest Japan Airlines flight, carrying more than 200 passengers, arrives Thursday from Tokyo. The other two flights from Nagoya arrive today and March 27, Applegate said.
Japan Airlines in 2010 ceased regular direct flights into Kona from Narita – one of 15 international routes the airlines suspended to help it recover from bankruptcy. Still Japanese tourism has continued to grow, in part because of the 14 years Japan Airlines offered direct service to Kona, Applegate said.
In January 2012, about 109,000 visitors arrived in Hawaii from Japan. That was up from January 2011, when about 105,000 Japanese visitors came to the state, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Representatives from the county and Big Island Visitors Bureau, as well as others from the visitor industry, will welcome the passengers, who are staying three days and four nights on the island. During their trip, they will do various activities and adventures, including visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is a World Heritage Site.
They’ll stay at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Royal Kona Resort and Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa, Applegate said.
After the travelers return home, Hawaii Tourism Authority and its branch Hawaii Tourism Japan will continue discussions with the carrier regarding other flights.
The hope is there will be “a good response from this unique experience” and “a buzz created,” followed by more charter flights and the addition of direct flights, Applegate said.