Even as Hawaii visitor satisfaction remains near 90%, concerns are rapidly escalating. What does that mean to your Hawaii travel plans?
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200 thoughts on “Changed Visitor Habits Crush Hawaii Travel Outlook”
Even as Hawaii visitor satisfaction remains near 90%, concerns are rapidly escalating. What does that mean to your Hawaii travel plans?
The lack of short-term rentals makes it difficult for families to afford to come to Hawaii. Being able to cook some of their meals is the difference between a staycation at home or a week in the Hawaiian islands. Hotels offer rooms only and I have read articles that say the hotels and resorts are not paying their fair share of taxes which would benefit the native population. Short-term rentals add tax money and encourage more money to be spent on the islands for food and essentials, as well as souvenirs and entertainment.
Come to Maui – plenty of short-term rentals here.
We’ve taken many vacations to the islands in the past and have always loved Hawaii. Unfortunately, we no longer plan to return due to the outrageous costs to travel there. We now look east and southeast of the US for travel. There are many destinations we’ve never explored and we find cost to travel there are by far, less than to Hawaii.
We used to go every year, family of 6. Prices have gone up so much we can’t afford to go anymore. We spend a fraction of the cost and can spend up to 10 days in other tropical locations. Restaurants, car rentals, hotels, airfare. My heart misses this magical place at times but I do not foresee another family vacation there for quite awhile.
It’s always interesting when people actually get what they ask for… and then act surprised! It’s painfully obvious to those of us who are frequent visitors that the inept leaders of Hawaii, plus a very small but vocal group of ‘locals’, have drawn a line in the sand which sends a clear message of “you are not wanted nor welcome here but if you do chose to ‘disobey’ our wishes, you will be overcharged and taxed to the max”. Maybe if the golden goose were smart enough to understand that while many people really care about and truly value the ‘spirit of aloha’, they are simply done with the blind arrogance, inept leadership and self serving vocal minority who wants to have its cake and eat it too – you got what you asked for… enjoy!
Not how I see it, my timeshare in Kauai is booked til winter, flights are nearly full, looks pretty busy to me
We’re looking forward to our annual trip, it will be in September. We really missed our visits during the pandemic and had a wonderful time upon our return last year. Apparently, others on this site have not enjoyed their time in Hawaii, that’s too bad because we’ve always found it a very easy place to vacation. It is not inexpensive but we always feel we get great quality for what we invest.
One trip per year is probably our limit as there are so many interesting places to travel worldwide that we are limited by time.
As a former Hawaii resident and a frequent visitor I can tell you that on my last visit in 2022 there was a noticeable shift in attitude towards tourists. Much less aloha and a lot more price gouging. Maybe that is why people are looking elsewhere for places to spends their vacation dollars. The people of Hawaii said we don’t want tourists well youresp what you sow…
No one factor is the cause imo, but Hawaii is getting what they sow. The elected officials have been admitting tourist and restricting access or making it more difficult. Hotels have increased to almost a 1000 a night in Kaanapali. Car rentals are crazy and flights are significantly higher. The govt has gotten what they wanted, and locals will suffer when layoffs occur. For those speaking of crime, with comments seeming to be Honolulu- you do know there are other areas and islands to visit, right??
Just had a friend visiting Maui and she paid $1500 for a week at the Westin because they want to sell timeshares …so she sat for a 3 hour presentation even though she lost her job and can obviously not buy!
I am surprised that the Westin didn’t Increase the cost of their stay, the Language and Terms and Conditions Section stipulate that there’s an Income Qualifier as well as Currently Being Employed to take advantage of the offer. The Penalties Include Increasing the Cost of the Stay to the Top Rate. Interesting that didn’t occur, however, Westin has been known to Send the Bill After returning home to Avoid Confrontations, I know of people that has happened to. Cheat the System and get “Rear Ended” Later!
the suckers that fall for that time share, You can go in town and by some ones at 80% less then what they paid.
They used to only offer the time shares sales pitch “deals” to single women or married couples with the wife present. They sell based on emotion, not on logic (obviously). My wife and I did score some great deals back in the 1990s and early 2000s. Grand Wailea was for $600 for a week (room big enough for family of 4) plus some resort $$, just for attending the time share pitch and leaving. I remember one at Ko Olina on Oahu in early 2000s. The sales guys acted like used car salesmen in aloha shirts. When we insisted “no think you” one of them told us he was retired police officer who had been shot three times in the back, and that “he did not take three bullets” for that. Sad.
I couldn’t agree more, David. I went to a couple of timeshare presentations in he past and they definitely reminded me of car sales people. They tell you they can’t go any lower, but then the Manager is called in …I must admit that they went to low at some point that I looked at my husband and wondered if we should consider it (as you said, ones you do your calculation, it makes no sense). Very happy I bought a fee simple condo in Maui instead which I now use full time.
Ernie, my friend had a job when she got the package at the Westin. Since you have to make reservations several months in advance, she didn’t lie when she reserved. In fact, even though she told them that she didn’t have a job right now, they offered her the same package again (I assume that would only apply if she had a job again). Either way, she didn’t accept their offer because there were many issues during her stay, the worst being roaches in her room (the day she arrived until she left!).
I think a lot of the problem is the lack of short-term rental properties that used to be available at reasonable prices which were much better than the hotels. A family of four could have a reasonably priced vacation being able to prepare meals in a kitchen
that’s because the resorts are selling people their timeshares
Many of the privately owned condos were gobbled up by corporate dollars when the HOA dues skyrocketed ($1000+) and they were told they couldn’t rent short term during covid shutdown. A friend almost lost his to HOA foreclosure but refinancing saved him. Sad that 80 year old almost lost his paradise
Fewer short term rentals isn’t affecting hotel occupancy, other than potentially increasing it. Hotel occupancy is decreasing, so that’s not it.
I would love to return to Hawaii but the answer right now is a hard No! There are many factors. First Hawaii has put a target on tourists with talk of visitors fees and such. It’s not welcoming. Who wants to go where their not wanted. Or get charged extra for this and that. All these fees are out of Control. I can go most other destinations without being pick pocketed by businesses or the state. Then the cost of hotels and rental cars is a secondary factor and finally the airline mess with delays. flights being diverted and such. Too many factors are definitely keeping me from returning. Until they get their crap together, this girl is just going to stay on the mainland. I work too hard to chance a vacation nightmare with my hard earned $
I have a question about the tourist and hotel industry. Why does the Japanese tourist leave just 2 dollars tip in the room for house maids. Don’t they know that the house maids have the hardest jobs in the hotel business.
When you go to Japan the tip is already included with your bill. Some should let the Japan tour industry that you tip on the service that you receive.
Crime and homelessness. That’s why I don’t go anymore.
Why is it a surprise that tourism is down when the locals and agencies are so negative toward visitors?
Well, Cancun was developed as a resort area that would attract a massive flow of tourists from the United States. For me personally, one of the worst places I have ever been to. Drunk people everywhere and you can count the locals on one hand …you might as well stay in Florida.
I go to Cancun 2 or 3 times a year and never see “drunk people”, but I don’t go to night clubs, and for sure don’t go during spring break. In my opinion, the service I get there is the best in the world, they appreciate the tourists.
Reading this makes rethink my Hawaii travel plans.Cant stand the elitism and arrogance of their tourism industry. Will make plans for somewhereelse this summer and beyond. Bye Hawaii, I hope others who read this will stop traviling to Hawaii so you now feel the sting that your greediness has caused others.
Actually, I have yet to meet a native Hawaiian that is “greedy”. The greediness comes from Resorts that established themselves here from the mainland (most having employees from the mainland!).
Everyday locals trying to make ends meet do not set prices. Corporate greed, politicians are to blame for the rape of Hawaii. I am from Hawaii, born and raised, local girl. Read the books “Land and Power in Hawaii” and “Taking Hawaii”, nothing has changed.
Remember Airbnb’s hosted by locals? Priced affordable for normal families and locals coming home to visit. The hotel industry and Hawaii government has reaped what it has sowed.
There was was a reasonable solution that was thwarted and I am crying no tears for the greedy hotels. Rooms or onsite hosts have been regulated out of the market, oh and the homeless problem and affordable rentals still not solved.
Wow! What city do you live in? Please tell me a city in the US that has less crime than Honolulu! One of the reasons I live in Hawaii is low crime. I lived in Washington, DC (the Nations Capital!) for 35 years and after spending most of my winters in Maui, I moved here permanently. We used to make a stop in San Francisco, but it’s too depressing now with all the drug addicts and homeless people. Always wanted to visit Portland, Oregon and Seattle but hear that those cities have high crime now …and don’t tell me you now go to Mexico instead of Hawaii (ha, ha!)
I have traveled the world, and the only place I ever had anything stolen from me was on the beach in Honolulu in the late 1990s. I am also certain that there are many cities in the USA with a crime rate less than Honolulu.
Certainly Do and have yet to feel unsafe, your perception is tainted by the choices that you have made. Honolulu is Attempting to finally deal with the Crime that is eroding the area and confidence of people. It’s not going too well.
I was in Waikiki with my boy-friend in February and felt totally safe. We try to go for a few days almost every year (from Maui) and enjoyed being tourists at the Outrigger on the beach!
Just my opinion. Just judging from watching visitors from last year to present, most US visitors are generally of the middle class and tend not to spend extravagantly. Watch McDonalds long long lines. Friends who have small shops in Waikiki have noted the tourists only spend small amounts. International tourists minus the Chinese are not the big spenders. Chinese who love to spend big money have felt not welcome to Hawaii in past years. So they are traveling elsewhere.
Hawaii has Managed to Repulse Many!
Hawaii is becoming a casualty of its own propaganda. The cost to benefit ratio for a vacation here is not worth it. Better value at many other island destinations. Instead of taking steps to draw tourists the collective arrogance to bleed them dry is what is sending them elsewhere. I live here and see it everyday. Hard times ahead.
So you live here, but don’t see the “value” for others to come here? Have you been to some or the other islands (I have, since my ex tried to convince me there are other places like Hawaii)
Appears that he didn’t do that well of a job or you’re too jaded to admit defeat. 🤔 Either way he is, was, and always will be correct with what he said.
For my wife and me the issue isn’t the cost but rather the very high crime level in Hawaiʻi these days. We lived in Honolulu during the 1990s, and the situation was significantly better then (though, still a problem). Hawaiʻi is now definitely on our “don’t go” list.
2020 and 2021 I went the Kauai over 20 times. Before that I would go 4 to 6 times a year. Went there in my honeymoon. Went last month. Over Covad, rates from west coat were less than $200 each way. Now they are rarely $229 each way but up to $500 each way. Southwest has deals tho. My hotel standard, the Hilton would be $259 up to $450. Now $450 up to $700. The condo complex i am in went from $300 to $650. Hamburger standard is $20 from $15. Add beers for another $9-$12 each. Luckily booze is still cheap at longs. My wife is in Mexico now vacationing. Meal cost is $20 including drinks. The people there smile. The vibe on kauai is that it’s almost like a prison and visitors are eating all the good food and then leaving.
Hum … I wonder why so many people want to move “from” Mexico to the US (including to Hawaii). Actually, there are more immigrants from Mexico in Maui than I thought ….met quite a few of them in Maui and they are still smiling ….
We visited last July. While there we could see the need for tourism at an economic level, but we also could see the toll it takes on residents and their quality of life. From what little I know, there needs to be more input from residents related to tourism and a unified approach where all stakeholders voices are heard and goals and desires are incorporated into a master visitor/outreach/lodging/business plan. There is no simple answer but a long-term sustainable plan that first meets resident needs has to be developed.
There is much more at risk than tourist dollars. Those who have ancestral lands here need to be at the head of the table.