Even as Hawaii visitor satisfaction remains near 90%, concerns are rapidly escalating. What does that mean to your Hawaii travel plans?
Even as Hawaii visitor satisfaction remains near 90%, concerns are rapidly escalating. What does that mean to your Hawaii travel plans?
That’s great! We really don’t need mass numbers of low spending tourists!
Do need to work on the Japanese market .
Ah shoots. I lived there a year ago and are now in California. Miss my Hawaii home but maybe another time when it relaxes.
Vacationers no longer have the option of affordable accommodations with locals that offered vacation rentals on their property. Oahu politicians worked very closely behind closed doors with the hotel lobby to protect hotel interests. Now visitors to the islands options are limited and almost all the accommodation revenue is being funneled directly into the big pricey monopolizing hotels (most owned by off island investors aka. “China”) Local people were fooled as the media and hotel lobby spread the news that it was vacation rentals keeping locals from being able to afford homes on island.. Hawaii is internationally desired and people world wide will always fiercely up the cost of living here because it’s paradise. Shame on Oahu politicians
That’s what I said all along ….resorts like the Westin can add buildings in a flash, get the money upfront with timeshares, but owners who want to rent out their property are penalized.
You’ve been paying attention, Kalani – thank you! You’re exactly right.
Marketing Programs can shape expectations, and Partner Programs in conjunction with government policy/regulation can completely reshape Hawaii Tourism. This paper talks about one approach: munin.uit.no/bitstream/handle/10037/23469/thesis.pdf?sequence=2
The research paper, though, is more like an executive “white paper” with an incomplete strategy, and lacks any realistic implementation plan. I would love to see a team assembled to define and implement a flushed-out plan for Hawaii. It may seem unrealistic on first reading, and that is probably correct. But with plan revisions and regulations it should be possible to lead the world in tourist policy.
Keep jacking up hotel rooms and at some point, Nobody is going to pay $800 for a 2 star hotel.
As a lover of all Hawaii I’m a little disappointed about the way the state has restricted visitors from beaches and high prices to visit these places. I’m so glad I visited haunama bay when I did. Glad I did the road to Hana twice and saw the black sand beach free!!!!
Now you’re wondering why visitors are backing off? I had planned to visit every year. I’ve been there 5 times in last 8 years but not being able to park at my favorite beaches or decide to do the road to Hana on a whim. No.
Same! Especially in that we don’t often plan our days in ahead. It’s decided depending on what we feel like on a specific day. Used to rent a house in Hana for a week but that property was sold.
Your thoughts are mine exactly. I’m so glad we got to go the 5 times we did since 2006. Thoughts of not getting to see beaches and other places on whim or without high fees is upsetting. Certainly makes me think twice about coming Lud the high costs now are prohibitive.
No offense, but I think it is not entirely fair to compare Hawaii and Europe. Maybe you could compare Hawaii and a popular region in one of the EU member states, say, the Amalfi Coast region in Italy. Or Bavaria with our castles and beer gardens.
Summer started early here. (I am writing this from Munich, where I am hosting a group of friends from Oregon who also love Hawaii.) And yes there are a lot of tourists, from the Us, from China, from almost everywhere but it feels nowhere near as suffocating as tourism in Hawaii does at times. Hawaii is tiny, Europe not so much.
I was born in Germany and only lived in Munich for 4 months after living in the South of France, so when the leaves started falling, I went back to Monaco where I worked for 12 years, then Washington, DC for 30 years. Fell in love with Hawaii in 1989 and now live in Maui. It’s pretty quiet right now, since most people on the mainland “drive” to the beach for the Memorial week-end. I feel so privileged living in Maui where I can “walk” to the beach all year round and swim in the ocean. So at least for me, there is no place like Hawaii!
Hawaii (Hawaiians) (Kanaka) have wanted to get away from tourism as the main source of income to the islands. Perfect time put that concept to the test. The state has to many tourists and has for many years. Make it happen🤙🏽
for black sand go Waikaloa Bay
In the 3 days we stayed a condo on this beach, I only saw a couple locals there in the morning to fish.
In All advertizing to the visitors ( Must make the visitors feel welcome,) by adding a line ( you are part OF Hawaii ! You are always welcome here,) ( Thank you and Aloha )
Be careful what you wish for. People don’t like it when you take advantage of them. They will never forget that in the end “Aloha” just became a marketing slogan.
Jr
Greed runs deep in Hawaii and is the American way, it seems. All supported by the legions of idiots and imbeciles that are all to willing to deepen their unending credit card debt, which definitely supports the unconscionable customer gouging that is rampant in the USA. No aloha in the business world, that’s for sure!!!
coming over fri June 2, sort of an impulse, need to chill. have a friend to stay with in Kailua. airfare okay for me and car rental $359 including fees and taxes, I can live with that. haven’t been since march 2020. I wanna come.
My wife & I have been traveling to HI 3 times a year for man years.
We just returned from 10 days in Maui. Great time as always as was our trip to the island in late February. We planned to return in Sept 23 but instead we’re heading to London & Paris. Instead of returning to HI in May 2024, we’ve booked a trip to Italy. We love Hawaii but the reopening of Europe and the strong U.S.dollar (for now 😉) makes European travel very attractive. We’ll return to Maui in March of 24 and probably Kauai in September of 24 but, as you wrote above, HI has a lot of competition for the dollars of tourists. Also,hospitality folks in other countries been more welcoming of than those in HI. Surprising? Yes! HI, wake up. People have options again.
Our travel to Kauai – in two weeks it will be our 47th round trip – has been from Phoenix for about the last 10 years. We’ve never paid anywhere near $1,000! That’s a shock for us to even hear about!
Like almost any other business, once you turn customers away by poor experiences, malignantly inflationary fees, limited access to areas, etc, etc, they never come back. Hawaiian marketing has shot itself in the foot and turned its back on its “cash cow”. I’m booking Europe travels and cruises instead of returning to Hawaii for the 45th time. It’s Aloha Hawaii.
Well, car, airlines, room, is a hard no.I cant do it, as much as wanted, I just can’t do it. Tahiti another island that I love so dearly fantastic deal so far so this is it since it was my second favorite place on earth. I truly truly wished that things were not so expensive, and I truly truly wished that the tourists that are flying to the Hawaiian islands were really intune with the culture, islands, and its people.That should be the real reason that they want to visit. Instead, it’s about social media posts.I ate here, and blah blah blah. Not anything about the beautiful nature.When it gets reasonable a smuch asposible, i will truly return for natured Hawaii!
We are not coming back until the prices come down to Earth, we are treated better by the locals, and the flight schedules aren’t so fouled up.
We are going to Europe instead.
Revenge Travel ahoy! Couldn’t resist a deal on Alaska back in March to get to London: 40,000 frequent flyer miles and $236 in taxes and fees. From Portland to Seattle with Alaska and SEA to Heathrow via American. Our 10-day jaunt to Jolly Olde cost a friend and I just $1552 apiece including air, hotel, food and incidentals. It was cold and windy (but no rain!) nevertheless we had a splendid time. Our two recent Maui trips (January ’23 and May ’23) were $8100 and $7600 respectively. Hawaii ain’t cheap. Europe rocks.
Our 2 week trip to the Whaler Condo Rental, Car Rental & Airfare was twice as much as I usually pay.
Not worth it anymore.
“Italy reports that foreign tourism earlier this year was running more than 70% higher than in 2022. The same trend is true in Spain, Portugal and other European countries”
We just got back to Kauai after a month in Portugal. Was plenty crowded with tourists, including a lot from other European countries. The dollar is so strong right now, it was like 40% off all meals and hotels. Back to $$$ reality on Kauai …
The options internationally are amazing and the slowdown in Hawaii will be profound. I am just leaving Hawaii after spending three weeks in Japan. $200 hotel rooms, attraction prices $10 for a family of five (zoo, castles, shrines, etc..) Instead of spending 6 weeks a year in Hawaii, we stop for one day going back to California. Hawaii is now more expensive than everywhere. Our next trip will be the Cook Islands and New Zealand – cheaper and more Aloha than in Hawaii.
I will be in the Big Island and Maui in July. Just this afternoon, I was able to get my Costco package for the Big Island cut by a thousand dollars… and the hotel in staying at on Maui had a flash sale for its nicest rooms this week… I was able to cut my Southeast fare and my Maui car rental rate as well… The slowdown is real…
I would think all the locals that are against tourism are elated! You may be getting your wish!
Exactly! Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
Hawaii seems to be going after the elite high in customers and they have forgotten that the average customer that saves up for a memorable trip. This trip could be a once in a life time or only every 5 to 10 years. Many locals have become vocal saying basically “ Stay Away We Don’t Want You Here”.
This is much like Disney does in Florida every few years they Jack Prices Up and take advantage of people when they can. They forget that their bread and butter are tourists especially the local Florida people then they have to go back to catering to the people that actually keep the property open.
Hawaiian locals need to embrace the tourists and enjoy the opportunities and money it brings to them and they families.
Hawaii is Not Disneyland. Although many tourists treat it as such. This is why the land, beaches, attractions are being ruined. Thus the govt had to attach fees to certain areas to pay for the upkeep to the infrastructure and to rejuvenate the trails, beaches etc. Visitors should learn about The Islands. Visit Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum instead of bungee jumping off a cliff or repelling down on a cable in a forest.
Have you walked down the Wailea path lately in Maui? At every hotel, there is an outdoor luau going on, with hula dancers, flame throwers, and loud announcers blaring their fanfare through loudspeakers. I’m sure this is the same on Oahu as well.
The only reason tourists treat the islands like a Disneyland is because the locals and natives Promote it as a Disneyland.
So don’t give me any of this “This isn’t Disneyland” stuff.
Floridians get discounts at Disney and with less tourists in Maui, locals will be welcome again (like during Covid times). Let’s bring Kamaaina rates back to Hawaii!
The reason Disneyland .is in California, Disney Worls in Florida , Seaworkd, and Universal give the local rates is that without the locals the places would not be able to keep the doors open .
Theses companies seem to forgot when economic conditions take a turn down which happens ever 7 to 12 years they have depend on the locals to support and supplement their bottom line.
I think almost everyone on here loves Hawaii that’s the reason you on here and taking the time to comment. But if for one minute people think that giving a local rate is the answer and will keep the islands going they are dead wrong .
I’m all for giving the locals a better rate but you can’t shut everyone else out and think it will keep the economy running
There’s a reason why your comment has the most up votes. Couldn’t agree more. Everywhere you turn there’s someone local saying ‘don’t come here .. stay away’ . Online groups once deviated to vacationing in Hawaii are infiltrated by negative Nancy’s telling people not to come here , commenting negatively on posts etc.
Not to mention the subtle micro hating ‘Get rid of southwest to many low class people …etc etc .’
If someone wants a beach there’s more aloha in Cancun and bang for your buck in the EU . At least in those places you’ll get a smile and a please come back when you part with your money .