Japanese Arrivials On The Rise in Hawaii

International Visitor Arrivals to Hawaii received a boost in part from a rise in Japanese visitors to the state.  Arrivals in November for the two groups were up 10 and 7.9 percent respectively in November.

It marked the third consecutive month of growth out of Japan for Hawaii’s visitor industry.

“We welcomed more first-time visitors from Japan than repeat visitors.  The last time this occurred was in November 2007,” said Marsha Wienert, the state’s Tourism Liaison.

Overall, Hawaii experienced a 1.4 percent decline in visitor arrivals and a 2.2 percent drop in visitor spending.  That translates to a decline of $17.7 million in visitor expenditures when compared to November 2008.

“Aggressive marketing and increased air seats moving forward allows us to be optimistic that in 2010 we will experience growth in arrivals, which will help stabilize visitor spending and position us for increased expenditures in 2011,” Wienert added.

(Posted by Wendy Osher)