Hawaii faces a formidable challenge balancing dwindling Hawaii travel numbers while not alienating the local community.
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88 thoughts on “Hawaii Spring Travel Slump Points To Tough Uphill Battle”
Hawaii faces a formidable challenge balancing dwindling Hawaii travel numbers while not alienating the local community.
So the HTA is being revived to bash tourists again. Great idea.
I have travelled to Hawai’i since I was a little girl in the 70s and have so many good memories. Have mourned some of the changes, but the air and water still feel like a caress, Plumeria still smells as sweet, the Zebra Doves song as calming and the birds/fish/sea turtles as wonderful. I will find cheaper accommodations and other ways to save, but I will never abandon this very special place. The spirit of Hawai’i will live on, whatever we tourists decide.
We have owned a vacation rental on Maui for over 20 years. The last few years, property taxes have gone completely out of control ($16,000 for a 900 sq ft, 2br condo!) as well as added state & local TAT’s. The legislature is going exactly the wrong way on giving the counties More authority. This is the shotgun that has blown away the golden goose. These costs are passed on to our customers. Many that come back every couple of years are going elsewhere. If the state doesn’t get these taxes reversed and tightly regulate the countries, it will be the end. Our (fixed) break-even cost has ballooned. Electricity and land-line phone (required by most AOA’s) costs have also gone through the roof.
You elected this governor so you deserve what you get. Most residents want to save all the good stuff for themselves… don’t want to share paradise with outsiders. But since the outsiders are the ones supporting the economy, good leaders would ignore the selfish bitchers. This governor apparently is too ignorant to understand basic economics. Typical for government “service”. What a joke.
Absolutely correct. They openly want the Covid shutdown back permanently and when there’s no $ for roads, fire and police protection and electricity, they will demand The state provide it.
A joke indeed. pandering for local votes while in the pocket of the hotel industry that keeps building.
While the state wants more visitors, it is making it more expensive to visit! TAT was 7.25% a few years ago, now it’s 10.25%, plus the 3.0% OTAT. Now, the state wants to add a $25 visitors fee. That will be pushed up every year. Hotel and restaurant costs, driven by union wage costs, and the unholy alliance between Hawaii’s one party rule and the unions will continue to adversely impact tourism.
This is a product of really poor messaging and making things as difficult as possible for travelers. Don’t come now, ok come now, ok don’t come now. You can only come if you participate in such and such initiative. Btw, we’re taking away the most affordable places to stay and removing competition so the remaining places are even more expensive. Oh, and we hate you. But please come. No wonder travelers are going elsewhere.
Messaging is very important and whenever it is the opposite of the “Spirit of Aloha”, it becomes very negative. But in today’s economy, Value for Money is what’s driving people away. Current state and country officials need to reform or be fired.
As a former resident, I see hotels rates are very high and is a problem for planning a vacation to return for a visit.
We have a time share on Maui but have started searching out new vacation options. Everything from airfare, meals and activities have all risen way out of proportion to other vacation venues.