Hawaii summer travel season begins early

Hawai’i’s summer travel season began early according to state Tourism Liaison Marsha Weinert.  The figues include strong numbers from international visitors including those from Japan, Canada, and the emerging markets of China and Korea. 

Weinert said the anticipated increases in visitor arrivals and expenditures this summer will benefit almost every sector of Hawaii’s economy, assisting in overall improvement.

“Tourism’s positive performance in May reinforces our optimism in Hawai’i’s improving economy.  May, a traditionally slower tourism month, exceeded expectations and resulted in a 17.4 percent increase in visitor spending of $127.7 million.  This increase in visitor spending, which was a direct result of increased visitor arrivals and daily visitor spending, is the largest gain in expenditures we have seen since before tourism began declining in 2008,” said Wienert.

“The 6.5 percent increase in total arrivals was spurred by a 21.6 percent increase in international visitors,” said Weinert. 

Visitors from Japan, Hawai’i’s largest international market, increased 25.6 percent in arrivals and 31.8 percent in visitor expenditures.  Japan was followed by Canada, which showed increases of 14.6 percent in arrivals and 23.2 percent in expenditures. 

“Our ongoing efforts to build relationships in the developing markets of China and Korea have resulted in increased visitor arrivals from these two countries.  Due to this increased demand, Korean Air will be adding seat capacity this summer and there is strong interest in direct air service from China to Hawai’i.  This is very encouraging and we anticipate continued growth from these international markets of China and Korea, as well as Japan,” Weinert said.

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