59 thoughts on “Hawaii Seeks Broader Horizons as U.S. Travelers Tighten Wallets”
Bob C
Potential visitors to Maui are put off by the efforts of the county mayor and council to limit overnight stays at expensive hotels by shutting down the short term rental resources that have provided more affordable rates and experiences. The anger displayed by quite of few locals towards visitors has been related to friends and family when the visitors have returned home which increases the concern for future visits.
There is a severe housing shortage for the island’s residents but that problem cannot be solved by shutting down studio and one bedroom apartments…they need homes built but with the onerous permitting process that seems impossible to do. Look how long it has been since the disaster and so few projects to be rebuilt have started.
Maui is a beautiful place to visit and the visitors need to be mindful of local needs and feelings.
Hawaii will need to team up with Alaska to make the Europeans think about the long trip. They are interested in Alaska cruises, so they need an incentive to stay longer to visit Hawaii. Car rental prices need to come down – surely they have made up what they lost during the covid shutddown.
Europeans also have access to news so I’m sure the negative tourist vibe is knowledge available to them. As someone else said – Seychelles, Mauritius are just as available + welcome tourists.
Alaska has direct flights to Europe in the Summer, to Germany. Germans love visiting Northern North America. Even Whitehorse had direct flights for Frankfurt before Covid
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is kidding themselves, and us, and European travelers. We are on the brink of a world-wide recession, which the US stands a reasonable chance of weathering. Disposable income is decreasing around the globe. We will be very lucky to maintain the estimated 3% of Hawaii tourists coming from Europe and it is too late to get “2 week European vacation tourists” who travel predominantly in the summer.
As our economy slows and stock priced drop, we should be targeting those who are flush with cash and ready to take a break from investing and ready for a long-delayed vacation to the islands.
The focus should be on metropolitan areas all over the US. Bring them over from the climate change impacted mainland, and forget about spending money to attract a handful of international tourists. We need the middle class and the well-to-do from stateside, not international oligarchs.
The one problem that can’t really be solved by Hawaii is the strong dollar. If you think it’s expensive for Americans to go there, try it with an unfavorable exchange rate.
Exorbitant pricing is keeping mainland Americans away! Since Covid, accommodation has skyrocketed. I do not see my friends and family coming to see us on Kauai like in days of old. It saddens me that they can no longer afford to come here!
Visiting Hawai’i has become challenging for us for two reasons. 1) We really,really don’t like hotels. We like to be able to lounge around and fix our own breakfast and occasional dinners too. So we need a kitchen. We understand the problems short term rentals can cause, but we do like to stay in a neighborhood and out of “tourist” areas. It’s usually quieter, among other things.
And 2) Hawai’i has gotten considerably more expensive in the last 5 years. We don’t need luxurious accommodations or pricey restaurants. We like local hangouts. We like places like the Manoa Valley, near the University, on O’ahu for example.
You must be one of the locals that tourists are talking about. You think a family who has owned a condo for 40 or 50 years and are there 5 or 6 months a year spending exclusively at local places should be told they cannot rent out the place for a month at a time. Brilliant.
Don’t know why the HI government and tourism industry are ignoring the numerous mainland US visitors-turning them off with substantially increased airfares, hotel rates, car rental costs, food costs-to say nothing of somewhat anti-tourist attitudes-in an effort to attract Europeans. Those Europeans will face ski-high air costs (don’t think they will fly Ryanair that many hours), and all the other high costs of HI and will suffer the same often love (your money)/hate (you tourists) attitudes that affect US visitors. Many mainland US visitors return multiple times (lots over 20) but I don’t think many Europeans will be so religious with repeat visits given their many choices of great and frequently high quality vacation places close to home. Even places like the Seychelles and Mauritania and French South Pacific may be easier/cheaper for them to reach/stay. As well, any economic downturn will be felt as much or more in Europe than the mainland US.
Hi. I’ve been going to Kauai and Maui almost yearly since 1984. The problem now is there are no direct flights to Kauai. It makes it not worth a quick getaway since it now take two full days of travel round-trip. That and the negative attitude of islanders towards mainlanders is making it feel less welcoming. .and who wants to pay big bucks for that? There are way too many beautiful alternatives. I can’t imagine Europeans would want to travel that far when there are many incredible locations close to home. Please look at why mainlanders aren’t coming as frequently. That’s a huge piece. For most of us, money isn’t the biggest issue!
We need to engage with countries who have a strong currency relative to the United States. Japan and Canadian visitors are way down. As an example, it costs a Canadian visitor 40% more now to visit Hawaii, from just the exchange rate.
Also, hotels are having to go more upscale, look at Kuilima on the North Shore of Oahu, it’s now a Ritz Carlton! Same thing on the North Shore of Kauai, only the hotel had to go more upscale than a Ritz Carlton! It’s now some kind of holistic healing center hotel.
It’s because property values across the US have gone up so much since the pandemic, that Hawaii hotel zoned property taxes have gone through the roof. It’s around $14,000 per million dollars. So if the hotel room doubled in value, now they have to take in $28,000 per year instead of $14,000, just to cover the property tax for the one room. If the value of the property is higher, then even more taxes.
I’m always amazed at how some people, and seemingly professional organizations, refuse to deal with simple root cause issues, and pursue the latest ‘shiny object’, looking for a quick fix / ‘silver bullet’ solution. In my case, as a long term, long stay Canadian visitor, Maui is now far too expensive, and along with the anti- tourist vibe, no longer provides sufficient value for the cost. Public restrooms and services are 3rd world, visitor targeted taxes / fees are punitive, and visible government policies send a very negative message to visitors. I’ve cancelled upcoming reservations and have booked for Thailand, and will continue to look for other winter travel options.
“This anticipated reduction in travel demand poses a significant risk to Hawaii ….”
What? I thought this is precisely the outcome Hawaiians desired. A loud chorus and bold signs of “stay out” and “go home.” Congratulations. The message was and continues to be received, loud and clear.
And if Hawaii thinks the EU, or even Asia, is going to send “mindful” tourists, the awakening will be especially rude — just like the tourists from those countries. U.S. citizens are saintly compared to the boorish and slovenly behavior of some of these countries. This will fail even more spectacularly than the push for Japanese tourists.
I agree with you. However it is our government and the squeaky wheels which are a minority that have expressed non welcoming feelings towards visitors. The majority of us know how important tourism is and have made many friends that visit Hawaii on a regular basis. We can’t thank them enough for their love and support. They tell me that they have experienced some negative attitude but are still happy that they have come. Hawaii turning its back on the US and looking to other countries is a slap to all of our faces.
The tourism landscape is only fragile because Hawaii has made it that way.
I don’t think Europe will be a significant market. With the exchange rate, Hawaii’s eye watering prices are completely out of reach for most. You also have several lovely islands much closer and more reasonably priced. Largely the same factors that have ranked the Japanese market.
The government and the HTA need to focus on their existing markets and unified messaging that will attract visitors. Ditch the mindful visitor message before it’s too late. It’s been confusing and isn’t playing well with in the marketplace.
Also ditch the effort to remove STAs to force visitors into hyper expensive resorts and provide affordable options for families.
I am so confused? Hawaii wants tourists, just not dirty American ones? The “mindful tourist” that Hawaii seeks is a slap in the face to those “mindful” Americans. You are beautiful Hawaii but this is the last straw. The message I got is Hawaii wants you if you’re rich. I wont write what I’m thinking.
Aloha Editors,
The way to make Hawaii more attractive worldwide is to lower the cost of lodging to be competitive on the world market. The high end hotels can charge luxury rates but for the majority of travelers, flight cost, lodging and exchange rates are a deciding factor. Keep the locals happy and visitors will be happy. Aloha for all.
Couldn’t agree more. I recently booked a partial harbor view room at the Four Seasons in Sydney, Australia: $318 per night including all taxes and fees. (Sydney is The most expensive city in Australia.) I checked the same dates at the Four Seasons on Maui: four times the nightly rate, then add the taxes and fees. Sorry, it’s just not that great.
Up until recently Hawaii was all about reducing tourism. What happened? What changed? I would think that Hawaii would be thrilled with the reduction in tourism, especially from those pesky mainland haoles.
Also, I remember when the HTA first changed hands a couple years back, Mufi said “We don’t need to promote Hawaii, everyone already knows about it”.
It’s no surprise. The HTA and other organizations have been biting the hand that feeds it for a long time. Europeans are just as strapped money wise as any other country. With the (apparent) disdain of visitors, the increase cost to the tourist to partake in enjoying the beaches (while locals are charged nothing) this just leaves a very sour taste in one’s mouth.
The tourist is the lifeline for the economy and yet the politicians seem to do everything to discourage tourist from enjoying the islands.
Pursuing the European market as a viable solution to Hawaii’s tourism woes is off base. The U.S. mainland and Japan are still the most viable markets. Hawaii’s problem at the moment stems from a negative view from mainland tourists who see the islands as less friendly, more costly and not as accommodating as in the past. Hotels are ridiculously over priced. Hawaii is competing with Mexico and cruise ships which offer a more inviting, friendly experience, and a more cost-effective alternative to the islands. Bring the prices back to a “good value” deal and mainlanders will return.
Potential visitors to Maui are put off by the efforts of the county mayor and council to limit overnight stays at expensive hotels by shutting down the short term rental resources that have provided more affordable rates and experiences. The anger displayed by quite of few locals towards visitors has been related to friends and family when the visitors have returned home which increases the concern for future visits.
There is a severe housing shortage for the island’s residents but that problem cannot be solved by shutting down studio and one bedroom apartments…they need homes built but with the onerous permitting process that seems impossible to do. Look how long it has been since the disaster and so few projects to be rebuilt have started.
Maui is a beautiful place to visit and the visitors need to be mindful of local needs and feelings.
Hawaii will need to team up with Alaska to make the Europeans think about the long trip. They are interested in Alaska cruises, so they need an incentive to stay longer to visit Hawaii. Car rental prices need to come down – surely they have made up what they lost during the covid shutddown.
Europeans also have access to news so I’m sure the negative tourist vibe is knowledge available to them. As someone else said – Seychelles, Mauritius are just as available + welcome tourists.
Alaska has direct flights to Europe in the Summer, to Germany. Germans love visiting Northern North America. Even Whitehorse had direct flights for Frankfurt before Covid
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is kidding themselves, and us, and European travelers. We are on the brink of a world-wide recession, which the US stands a reasonable chance of weathering. Disposable income is decreasing around the globe. We will be very lucky to maintain the estimated 3% of Hawaii tourists coming from Europe and it is too late to get “2 week European vacation tourists” who travel predominantly in the summer.
As our economy slows and stock priced drop, we should be targeting those who are flush with cash and ready to take a break from investing and ready for a long-delayed vacation to the islands.
The focus should be on metropolitan areas all over the US. Bring them over from the climate change impacted mainland, and forget about spending money to attract a handful of international tourists. We need the middle class and the well-to-do from stateside, not international oligarchs.
The one problem that can’t really be solved by Hawaii is the strong dollar. If you think it’s expensive for Americans to go there, try it with an unfavorable exchange rate.
Exorbitant pricing is keeping mainland Americans away! Since Covid, accommodation has skyrocketed. I do not see my friends and family coming to see us on Kauai like in days of old. It saddens me that they can no longer afford to come here!
Visiting Hawai’i has become challenging for us for two reasons. 1) We really,really don’t like hotels. We like to be able to lounge around and fix our own breakfast and occasional dinners too. So we need a kitchen. We understand the problems short term rentals can cause, but we do like to stay in a neighborhood and out of “tourist” areas. It’s usually quieter, among other things.
And 2) Hawai’i has gotten considerably more expensive in the last 5 years. We don’t need luxurious accommodations or pricey restaurants. We like local hangouts. We like places like the Manoa Valley, near the University, on O’ahu for example.
Locals hate tourists in areas zoned residential.
All STR’s need to be banned across the entire state in residential zoning and kept to resort zoning only.
You must be one of the locals that tourists are talking about. You think a family who has owned a condo for 40 or 50 years and are there 5 or 6 months a year spending exclusively at local places should be told they cannot rent out the place for a month at a time. Brilliant.
Simple solution: Lower Prices and Fees…
That is All…
Don’t know why the HI government and tourism industry are ignoring the numerous mainland US visitors-turning them off with substantially increased airfares, hotel rates, car rental costs, food costs-to say nothing of somewhat anti-tourist attitudes-in an effort to attract Europeans. Those Europeans will face ski-high air costs (don’t think they will fly Ryanair that many hours), and all the other high costs of HI and will suffer the same often love (your money)/hate (you tourists) attitudes that affect US visitors. Many mainland US visitors return multiple times (lots over 20) but I don’t think many Europeans will be so religious with repeat visits given their many choices of great and frequently high quality vacation places close to home. Even places like the Seychelles and Mauritania and French South Pacific may be easier/cheaper for them to reach/stay. As well, any economic downturn will be felt as much or more in Europe than the mainland US.
Hi. I’ve been going to Kauai and Maui almost yearly since 1984. The problem now is there are no direct flights to Kauai. It makes it not worth a quick getaway since it now take two full days of travel round-trip. That and the negative attitude of islanders towards mainlanders is making it feel less welcoming. .and who wants to pay big bucks for that? There are way too many beautiful alternatives. I can’t imagine Europeans would want to travel that far when there are many incredible locations close to home. Please look at why mainlanders aren’t coming as frequently. That’s a huge piece. For most of us, money isn’t the biggest issue!
We need to engage with countries who have a strong currency relative to the United States. Japan and Canadian visitors are way down. As an example, it costs a Canadian visitor 40% more now to visit Hawaii, from just the exchange rate.
Also, hotels are having to go more upscale, look at Kuilima on the North Shore of Oahu, it’s now a Ritz Carlton! Same thing on the North Shore of Kauai, only the hotel had to go more upscale than a Ritz Carlton! It’s now some kind of holistic healing center hotel.
It’s because property values across the US have gone up so much since the pandemic, that Hawaii hotel zoned property taxes have gone through the roof. It’s around $14,000 per million dollars. So if the hotel room doubled in value, now they have to take in $28,000 per year instead of $14,000, just to cover the property tax for the one room. If the value of the property is higher, then even more taxes.
I’m always amazed at how some people, and seemingly professional organizations, refuse to deal with simple root cause issues, and pursue the latest ‘shiny object’, looking for a quick fix / ‘silver bullet’ solution. In my case, as a long term, long stay Canadian visitor, Maui is now far too expensive, and along with the anti- tourist vibe, no longer provides sufficient value for the cost. Public restrooms and services are 3rd world, visitor targeted taxes / fees are punitive, and visible government policies send a very negative message to visitors. I’ve cancelled upcoming reservations and have booked for Thailand, and will continue to look for other winter travel options.
“This anticipated reduction in travel demand poses a significant risk to Hawaii ….”
What? I thought this is precisely the outcome Hawaiians desired. A loud chorus and bold signs of “stay out” and “go home.” Congratulations. The message was and continues to be received, loud and clear.
And if Hawaii thinks the EU, or even Asia, is going to send “mindful” tourists, the awakening will be especially rude — just like the tourists from those countries. U.S. citizens are saintly compared to the boorish and slovenly behavior of some of these countries. This will fail even more spectacularly than the push for Japanese tourists.
I agree with you. However it is our government and the squeaky wheels which are a minority that have expressed non welcoming feelings towards visitors. The majority of us know how important tourism is and have made many friends that visit Hawaii on a regular basis. We can’t thank them enough for their love and support. They tell me that they have experienced some negative attitude but are still happy that they have come. Hawaii turning its back on the US and looking to other countries is a slap to all of our faces.
The tourism landscape is only fragile because Hawaii has made it that way.
I don’t think Europe will be a significant market. With the exchange rate, Hawaii’s eye watering prices are completely out of reach for most. You also have several lovely islands much closer and more reasonably priced. Largely the same factors that have ranked the Japanese market.
The government and the HTA need to focus on their existing markets and unified messaging that will attract visitors. Ditch the mindful visitor message before it’s too late. It’s been confusing and isn’t playing well with in the marketplace.
Also ditch the effort to remove STAs to force visitors into hyper expensive resorts and provide affordable options for families.
I seriously doubt that Europeans would travel all the way to Hawaii. There are other tropical locations much closer.
I am so confused? Hawaii wants tourists, just not dirty American ones? The “mindful tourist” that Hawaii seeks is a slap in the face to those “mindful” Americans. You are beautiful Hawaii but this is the last straw. The message I got is Hawaii wants you if you’re rich. I wont write what I’m thinking.
Aloha Editors,
The way to make Hawaii more attractive worldwide is to lower the cost of lodging to be competitive on the world market. The high end hotels can charge luxury rates but for the majority of travelers, flight cost, lodging and exchange rates are a deciding factor. Keep the locals happy and visitors will be happy. Aloha for all.
Couldn’t agree more. I recently booked a partial harbor view room at the Four Seasons in Sydney, Australia: $318 per night including all taxes and fees. (Sydney is The most expensive city in Australia.) I checked the same dates at the Four Seasons on Maui: four times the nightly rate, then add the taxes and fees. Sorry, it’s just not that great.
“Again lost our way” is much too kind.
These islands are so schizophrenic.
Up until recently Hawaii was all about reducing tourism. What happened? What changed? I would think that Hawaii would be thrilled with the reduction in tourism, especially from those pesky mainland haoles.
Also, I remember when the HTA first changed hands a couple years back, Mufi said “We don’t need to promote Hawaii, everyone already knows about it”.
So confusing…
It’s no surprise. The HTA and other organizations have been biting the hand that feeds it for a long time. Europeans are just as strapped money wise as any other country. With the (apparent) disdain of visitors, the increase cost to the tourist to partake in enjoying the beaches (while locals are charged nothing) this just leaves a very sour taste in one’s mouth.
The tourist is the lifeline for the economy and yet the politicians seem to do everything to discourage tourist from enjoying the islands.
Pursuing the European market as a viable solution to Hawaii’s tourism woes is off base. The U.S. mainland and Japan are still the most viable markets. Hawaii’s problem at the moment stems from a negative view from mainland tourists who see the islands as less friendly, more costly and not as accommodating as in the past. Hotels are ridiculously over priced. Hawaii is competing with Mexico and cruise ships which offer a more inviting, friendly experience, and a more cost-effective alternative to the islands. Bring the prices back to a “good value” deal and mainlanders will return.
Golf would attract some EU tourists. Hotels need to lower their prices.