Between-the-lines insights into what’s really happening. With Hawaii arrivals down but spending way up.
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86 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitors Spending 40% More, But Enjoying It Less”
Between-the-lines insights into what’s really happening. With Hawaii arrivals down but spending way up.
Agree that 40% increase is not sustainable. I was a frequent Hawaii visitor to the point residents joked that I was a “resident tourist” but I have not visited in a couple of years now due to the high cost.
We just returned from Maui a few weeks ago. We’ve been to Hawaii 5 or 6 times but not since 2019. Prices everywhere were pretty high but we didn’t give $1 to a resort or hotel. They are a total ripoff. Rented a condo, right on the beach. Free parking, no nonsense. We ate at only local places in Kihei. They were awesome. Rental cars are a necessary evil and ridiculously priced and taxed. Flights were packed but “affordable”. The locals in Kihei were welcoming. Elsewhere, especially in resort areas, not so much so we stayed away from spending any money there. But overall we noticed fewer “alohas” and “mahalos” than previous visits and Maui felt less special. Makena Big Beach was still the star, not crowded and beautiful, one of the best beaches in the world. The book your State park in advance nonsense for Aio Valley was lame, and the full loop past Hana is not open, also a pain. I think we prefer now the Big Island, loved our trip there in 2019.
I have a question. Mary S. mentioned 3 daily destination fees (taxes). Are these fees Gov. Green’s way of getting around not being allowed to charge his $50 fee or are these something different?
Hi Sheryl.
There are no new taxes. Just those you already know. The ones that say destination are discretionary ones the hotel is inventing.
Aloha.
Kenneth R, in the long run if nothing improves, it will be You losing. Did you ever imagine when you bought into your Timeshare that the day might come when tourists might not want to come to Hawaii? That Your Timeshare might lose appeal and value to others, all caused by the industry and Hawaiian Government? The potential for many things to occur, or not, is there. It’s not your fault, You are a Consumer, if things go sideways, or before, contacting the Consumer Protection Agency could be a prudent move. Enjoy your vacations somewhere else!
Guys, would the Hotels and Resorts actually do something like making up and collecting destination fees? Isn’t that like saying that they are gouging tourists just because they can? Next thing you’ll be telling me is that across from the police department the Elite have been running Big Money Political Donation Parties to Buy Future and Present Political Favors. Guys, Hawaii isn’t Chicago or New York of the 60’s, is it?
High Value? Where’s that coming from? Haven’t seen anything but the High Prices so far! Simply being in Hawaii isn’t a “Value” despite its Beauty, sorry it doesn’t qualify. Value would represent “Savings” and Other similar Ideals that show Discounts and other Benefits like these Examples. High Value for High Prices, Hawaii is only Half Way There, Show Tourists where the High Value Is! Currently there is only a Motto/Mantra/Catch Phrase without Any Sense of Value. Don’t even mention those coupon books!
Prices are to high here to say the least. As time share owners, this is our 4th visit to the islands. Unfortunately, we are considering going somewhere else next trip. We been avoiding restaurants etc., because of inflated prices. So, who loses in the end.
I have been a timeshare owner for about 20 years and plan on continuing to come every year. The yearly dues have unfortunately more than doubled. I will leave my timeshare to my kids as there is not much resell value. But Hawaii is my home away from home.
The numbers don’t lie and Hawaiians will be receiving their long awaited presents after Christmas the way things are looking. What some scoffed at may just scoff back, a severe drop off in Tourism! With a stroke of a pen the 3% cap on property tax increases will be gone leaving everyone exposed to paying much higher. Jobs gone, businesses gone, traffic lighter, poverty UP. All of this is possible soon thanks to Hawaiians! Great Job if it occurs, if not too bad. Seeing Hawaiians picking up after themselves would have been fun. Watching them push ahead in the Food Kitchen line would have been insulting to their precious Houseless counterparts. What will Hawaiians do for an encore? Beg for Tourism to come back? Not on Your Terms or Prices!