Strong Growth Continues in Visitor Spending and Arrivals

Front Street. Courtesy of HVCB.

By Sonia Isotov

Total expenditures by visitors who came to Hawai’i in the first 10 months of 2011 grew 14.8%, compared to the same period in 2010, to $10.3 billion, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

On Maui, total expenditures by visitors in the first 10 months of 2011 grew 13.1%, compared to the same period in 2010, to $2.5 billion.

Visitors in October 2011 spent $20 more per person per day than last October. Visitors to Maui actually spent $6 less per person per day than last October.

Total visitor days for all visitors increased 4.1% and total arrivals (+2.6%) continued to exceed last year at 6,034,104 visitors. On Maui, total visitor days for all visitors increased 3.6 % and total arrivals (+3.8%) also exceed last year at 1,808,350.

Total arrivals to Maui in October 2011 dropped 2% compared to a year ago. Growth in arrivals to Maui from Canada (+3.2%) and Japan (6.9%) were offset by lower arrivals from US West (-7.1%) and US East (-1.1%). For the first 10 months of 2011, arrivals to Maui from Canada (+17.2%), US East (+1.3%) and US West (+0.8%) increased, but arrivals from Japan (-3.1%) declined compared to year-to-date 2010.

“We are also pleased with continued growth from our international markets, including the second positive month of arrivals from Japan since the devastating earthquake and tsunami,” said Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority today in written statement.

“New and additional airlift through 2012 also demonstrates that demand for travel to the Hawaiian islands remains high, and is a good indicator of momentum for the visitor industry in the coming year.”

More detailed October and 2011 year-to-date statistics for individual islands and the state, can be found on the Hawaii Tourism Authority website.