The Big Island and the rest of the state attracted a record number of visitors for the month August, the Hawaii Tourism Authority recently reported, but visitor expenditures remain flat.
The Big Island and the rest of the state attracted a record number of visitors for the month August, the Hawaii Tourism Authority recently reported, but visitor expenditures remain flat.
“While the growth in August was not as strong as in previous months, Hawaii’s visitor industry continues to exceed 2014 records in spending and arrivals,” George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the HTA, said in a press release. “Spending reached $10.3 billion for the first eight months of 2015 and contributed $1.1 billion in state tax revenue.”
For the Big Island Visitor’s Bureau, this change represents keeping the strong growth of last year, said executive director Ross Birch.
Last year, the island finished with a 16.4 percent increase in total expenditures, he said, a situation Oahu is beginning to experience.
The authority counted 755,863 visitors for the month of August, a new record. That 2.9 percent increase compared to the previous year was boosted by growth in most major markets, including an 8.8 percent increase in Canadian visitors and a 2.4 percent increase in U.S. East Coast visitors. There was an overall increase in Chinese visitors, while the number of Japanese visitors remained largely flat. Korea and other Asian countries saw a drop in visitors to the islands.
“In addition to pacing at record-breaking levels, air seats to the Hawaiian Islands are at an all-time high, boosting arrivals from most of our markets,” Szigeti said. “And while we are pleased with this continued growth for the lead economic driver for the state, we are monitoring various conditions that could impact our industry.
“Fuel prices have been dropping, the international stock market continues to be in flux and economic conditions in both Europe and Asia have been unstable. All of these factors could have a potential impact on spending and arrivals to the state.”
The Big Island saw an increase of 2.2 percent, to 130,103 visitors. There was a 1.2 percent increase in daily spending, for a total of $180 per person. In all, expenditures reached $161.0 million.
“Maintaining the level of growth we have been experiencing over the last few years will be a challenge,” Szigeti said. “However, we will continue to work with our global partners to ensure Hawaii remains top-of-mind as both a leisure and business destination through creative and innovative strategies.”
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.