The signs have been on the wall for some time. The state has openly wanted it, and the islands concur; Hawaii needs less tourism to attain balance and sustainability. And the universe is responding to that request, which in the end, may not be exactly what Hawaii wanted after all. Time will tell.
Hawaii has been blessed with return visitors, more so than most destinations. In fact, during the first three months of 2022, it’s estimated that 75% of all visitors were returning rather than new. But that will change, and Hawaii will find itself in a highly competitive environment, unlike any time before. We discussed it well before the latest report came out: Why Hawaii’s Repeat Visitors Aren’t Returning – Does Anyone Care?
It is being reported now that this trend is already leading to fewer bookings, which in turn could also have side benefits for future visitors. The no-price-is-too-high plan for Hawaii accommodations, for example, looks like it is on the precipice of collapse. Much more reasonable rates may be returning.
BOH: We expect Hawaii accommodation prices to drop approximately 25% between now and this fall.
The state’s latest Visitor Satisfaction Survey was just released.
Data collected was from nearly 4,000 visitors between January and April 2022. Here are the takeaways and what we can expect going forward. You can also read the report below.
1. Hawaii visitors remain satisfied overall with their experience. In fact, about 90% both rated their Hawaii vacations as excellent and will recommend a Hawaii vacation to others. About half said that their trip exceeded their expectations. But, nonetheless, they’ll be returning in fewer numbers.
2. Cost is the number one reason Hawaii visitors won’t be coming back, as costs rose about 16% between 2021 and 2022. And we think that’s lower than reality. Adding to the dilemma are increased accommodations taxes (which are up 3% compared with last year), and ridiculously high car rental charges, too. Also, by way of annoyance, parking at Hawaii hotels has gone to as much as $65 per night, which we’ve never seen previously. Hawaii has had the most significant increase in cost compared with other worldwide visitor destinations. That’s followed by the perception of a lack of value, overcrowding, and other factors.
3. Post pandemic shutdown, visitors are more desirous than ever to visit new places. Combine that with the lack of an economic paradigm here in Hawaii, and a Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Mexico, or Australia vacation looks pretty good to many. While Hawaii vacations looked like a safe and sane bet a few months ago, international travel is on a rapid rebound pace. In fact, while Hawaii travel begins to wane, Europe is about to exceed all prior visitor numbers.
4. West Coast visitor return intentions dropped by 4.1% to 82.2% compared with visitors surveyed last year. In this annual study, this was the lowest return intention since 2016. East coast visitors are even less likely to return, -6.6% to 66.6%.
Do you concur with the survey results? We look forward to your input.
2022_q1_dbedt_vsat-report-final
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Chris says
My family of 10 (3 families) will be doing a return visit to Maui in August for two weeks. We booked this trip back in Aug 2021 to make use of our air miles, to get good rates on condos, and RSVP rental cars. After adding the purchases to date we are spending approximately $15k excluding the little tourist extras- snorkeling, zip line, etc..
I did a comparison price recently as if I made my bookings in June 2022 and the prices jumped about 25% on condos and almost double in the rental cars. The flight didn’t change much – Alaska flights were a little less.
Our same trip trip back in 2019 precovid probably ran around $12k.
If prices continue climbing we may change from every two to visit every three.
PS.. Thank you Costco!
Corey says
Good you’re all the reason everything is so expensive for people that actually live here full time. I have been literally assaulted and spit on when I used to work at hotel and the entitlement in the comments is absurd.
Ernie S. says
Assaulted and Spit On without any provocation on your part? That’s definitely a first that anyone has heard of with certainty. Of course the Police Reports would show all of that, there were Police Reports and Arrests made, Right? Blaming other’s abilities to spend $5000 per week for 10 people to vacation in Hawaii isn’t living extravagantly. It certainly isn’t driving up the already outrageous prices that are Dictated by the Few over the Many Tourists. Look towards your Council, State and of course the Consortium of Hotel/Resort and Timeshare Builders for that! Blaming Tourism for what Hawaiians have allowed of the Elected Politicians is akin to Blaming the Turtles for the Ocean Waves. You’re Way Off Base.
Paul G says
I have lived here since I was a kid and very much noticed a change in the last few years. Locals have become rude. Several tourists have now told me this as well.
Monica B says
Hi Paul,
I’m thankful that everyone that we met was very polite and welcoming.I chatted with several locals since we went to parks, grocery stores,stayed in a condo where mostly of tenants were the owners etc There was one time only that my daughter felt that we were being treated as an inconvenience. That was at a restaurant upon our arrival in the Island. We didn’t returned to it even we liked the food.
Cathy L says
When we’ve visited Hawaii we felt the attitude of the locals was “just leave your money and go home.” When we’ve visited Mexico there is an attitude of gratefulness that we chose to go there and spend our money.I doubt that we’ll ever go back to Hawaii.
Corey says
Prices are truly ridiculous for average incomes. It costs an arm and a leg for anything and everything in Hawaii, now more than ever. Hoping prices and flights go back to normal soon . Between flights, hotel, rental car, parking and food….. It’s truly ridiculous the cost of a decent Hawaii vacation.
PatG says
Hawaii has always been an expensive vacation. But now, there is a greediness and gouging happening that I believe will bite us back in the end.
PegM says
Hawaii has always been an E ticket. It’s true that not everyone can go everywhere, that’s a fact of life.
Linda says
We recently traveled to Hawaii for my daughter’s elopement and we also had previously purchased an package from Hilton to try their resort so we were planning to travel to Hawaii anyway. I was blown away by the beauty of the islands. We landed on Kona and spent 6 days there before traveling to Maui for the wedding. Both islands were full of beauty and special in their own way.
My boyfriend had previously been to Maui as well as Kawaui. I will say that the taxes and fees are what set our budget off the rail. We expect food and drinks to be more expensive while traveling. While we would love to return soon it will probably be more economical to travel abroad for our next trip.
Marc says
Totally different vibe now than in 2021 when things first loosened up. We spent $11,000 on our trip. Not anymore. Going to Sea of Cortez this summer instead—where we are welcome.
Jon B says
I lived on Oahu for over 20 years. I love every minute but due to illness wound up at Duke Medical Center in N.C. After a lengthy stay I lost everything. If I could financially do it O would move back a.s a.p. To those still there lucky you live Hawaii. Mahalia, Jon
FG says
I tend to agree with this because we were going to go to Hawaii as a return visitor. We felt it was safer and still part of the States. We changed our minds and we’re going to Switzerland instead. Experience someplace new.
Keith J says
My family lives in Orlando and were planning our third trip to Hawaii this year in November…until I read an e mail Saturday morning sent overnight from Hawaiian airlines. You are so aware of their decision to discontinue service from Orlando to Honolulu. Just this past June their CEO stated the company’s excitement to expand and enhance service to many destinations, and Orlando was in his statement. Maybe it’s karma, however, with all the hotel add-on increases (parking, resort fees blah blah blah) we are canceling the trip. Frankly it made us sad but maybe this is just one wake up call for things to come for the state of Hawaii. We are also sad for the Hawaiian residents that had a direct flight to our state to visit our many attractions.
PatG says
With all the mayors on all the islands begging the airlines to reduce flights because of “overtourism”, it’s no wonder the airlines are taking them up on it. Visitors aren’t the only ones who don’t want to go where they’re not wanted; businesses are following suit as well.
Simon P says
I returned from my 23rd trip to Hawaii in November 2021. I was stationed at Hickam Air Base in the early 60s. I have visited the Big Island, Maui. Oahu and Kauai frequently. I am retired Military and I use my Military ID Card to go places a civilian tourist cannot. I also use it for The Hale Koa Hotel and also bot discounts at various placesI consider myself as an amateur tour guide for the Hawaiian Islands. I have take family and friends to the Islands 22 times. The Island folks are wonderful people if you treat them with respect. The long walk at the airport to the baggage claim area and then to the pickup point for transportation to the auto rental agencies, the long lines at the auto rental companies. the much higher cost for everything
Sheryl B says
IMO the return visitors are precisely the people the state should be concerned about losing. Those of us who return year after year know and love the island and it’s people and treat it as if it is our second home. When you price the “returners” out of the market, what you are left with are people who look for the $29 fares and a week of partying who have little regard for the culture or the people, or the super wealthy who are there to be waited on hand and foot and who could care less about the locals. The return visitors pump a lot of money in to the economy, we just do it differently than the people who come for a week or so, and the state is leaving us little choice but to look elsewhere for a place to spend our winters.
Marc says
Spot-on insight. But Hawaii does everything backward and slow. By the time the attitudes change, our return visitor dollars will be elsewhere.
PatG says
But the state is not concerned. They are welcoming the change with open arms. So we shall see how that all turns out for us over the next year or so.
Andrew K says
Two thoughts on this matter. 1. Prices are too high here. Cars, hotels, food, gifts, even parking at a hotel is beginning to quell the euphoria of post pandemic travel. 2. For me personally, we need a downturn in visitors. The aina once again has to heal. The psychological well being of the locals needs healing. I would like to go grab a bite to eat in Paia. However I don’t, because I don’t want to be on a wait list for 45 minutes. I would like to find parking at Ho’okipa without having to do 3 loops through the lot. I’m tired of having to go to the airport hours in advance for inter island trips. And I’m hoping the future brings back more tourists who care about, Maui and don’t treat it as their own personal playground.
PatG says
Be patient. You are now in the process of getting your wish!
Sherrie T says
My family of 9 just returned from the Big Island June 28th. We has a awesome time. Everything was wonderful. Good value for what we did.
Jim E says
Hawaii airports, accommodations, and all sorts of visitor attractions aren’t the only places overrun with tourists. Amsterdam Schipol airport trrminal has been jammed with humanity for weeks – my son and family took 12 hours just to do a change of planes with the same airline last week (KLM to KLM)! American Airlines seme an e-mail yesterday advising that it is pausing until January 2023 the sale of all tickrts to or through Schipol.
Jim E
Andrea L. says
Was planning a return trip to Hawaii. Then I checked out all the prices. I screamed What!!!! No Thanks! Too expensive.
Brian G says
You have to love Maui to keep coming back. We do and will come back. But we noticed a big jump in prices on our June 2 week trip. Almost $2500 to rent a car for 2 weeks. We didn’t. Restaurant cost up 20 to 25 percent. Hotel cost way up. Less trips in the future for us but most of our friends are going elsewhere
CC says
It’s really sad that we put so much money, time and effort into Tourism…and now we won’t have repeat visitors! It’s time we invest in sustainability and saving our aina for future generations.If we attract another type of visitors, they will come!
It’s true…there are so many other places in the world that is as beautiful as Hawaii, but so much more affordable.
Now what… Agritourism?? Let’s go!
Lisa K says
My family & our daughters family vacationed in Kauai this April 2022. We all had a lovely experience & great fun. My husband & I are both retired (early 60’s). As a result of this trip, we purchased a resale timeshare. We had been to Maui & Big Island before. The beauty of Kauai was overwhelming & we decided we want to enjoy it over the next several years.
Warren M says
Lisa,
As timeshare travelers like you, we have used our timeshare resources to travel to many places and our timeshare stay in Kona was much as you described in Kauai. No doubt we will explore other islands in the future and I can state with confidence that without timeshare resources we would not have come to Hawaii due to the beyond explanation cost of hotels.
Ron C says
Looking for 30 days to rent condo on maui
EJ says
Hawaii is beautiful, no question about it. It has become too expensive in all aspects and the world is big. Too many places are less expensive more welcoming than Hawaii as of lately. Money well spent along with a beautiful experience is what matters. Hawaii needs to try harder to keep its income from tourism. It is not the only beautiful place in this world!