Hawaii experienced a notable decline in visitor arrivals and spending in the first month of summer, June 2024, compared to June 2023. The decrease is another in a now long series of slow but incrementally growing dips in the recovery trajectory. Following is a look at the details and their implications.
While the overall decline in June 2024 indicates ongoing challenges, it’s important to also note that the recovery overall remains positive.
The decrease in arrivals and spending from Hawaii’s traditionally key markets, such as the U.S. and Canada, however, underscores the need for improved strategic marketing and enhanced travel incentives. On a smaller but brighter note, significant increases in visitors from Japan may reflect successful outreach efforts and certainly growing interest from this traditional international market.
A decline in Hawaii visitors during June 2024.
The total number of visitor arrivals in June 2024 was 872,620, a 1.9% decrease from June 2023. Visitor spending also declined by 4.4% to $1.91 billion. Despite these declines, the recovery remains positive, with arrivals at 92.1% and spending up by 17.3% from June 2019.
Regional visitor trends.
Visitor trends again varied significantly by region. The U.S. West saw 479,039 visitors, a 1.7% decrease, with spending at $984.2 million, down by 2.3%.
The U.S. East had 231,186 visitors, a 6.5% decrease, and spending of $631.7 million, down by 6.1%.
Japan, on the other hand, while much smaller in terms of contribution to Hawaii tourism, showed a significant increase with 59,874 visitors (up 28.1%) and spending of $87.3 million (up 25.8%).
Lastly, Canada’s numbers fell, with 16,380 visitors (down 14.9%) and spending at $34.7 million (down 22.4%). Other international markets saw a slight increase, with 86,141 visitors, up 0.9%.
June highlights of Hawaii visitors by island.
- Oahu saw significant growth with 532,915 visitors, up 6.3%, and spending at $897.9 million, a 5.8% increase.
- Maui continues to experience a substantial drop with 216,065 visitors, down 21.8%, and spending at $451.7 million, a 27.1% decrease.
- Kauai had 130,923 visitors, a slight increase of 0.8%, and spending at $265.9 million, up 5.8%.
- Hawaii Island saw 156,999 visitors, a 1.1% decrease, but spending increased to $283.3 million, up by 7.5%.
Year-to-date 2024 saw Hawaii visitors decline by 4%.
In the first half of this year, total arrivals were 4,780,927, a 3.7% decrease from 2023. Total spending was $10.26 billion, down 4.8% from 2023.
Hawaii’s tourism sector continues to navigate a complex path.
The state is in a balancing act, caught between economic influences and its own complex market dynamics. Improving the overall travel experience will be essential for sustained growth. Despite Hawaii travel’s ongoing challenges, the results could have been worse. And, contrasting trends across the islands indicate shifting travel preferences.
Department-of-Business-Economic-Development-Tourism-_-Visitor-Arrivals-Decreased-in-June-2024
Where the statistics say “spending is up” was inflation taken into consideration? If so, that would make the spending amount down.
We all know how inflation has grossly grown the price of everything!
We love our trips to Hawaii, spending 4-weeks a year on 2-3 islands.
Will skip Oahu this year. Too much trouble. Try getting reservations for Hanauma Bay or Diamond Head.
The results of the survey are consistent with the locals we meet. The government is disconnected. Glad to see that they are asking. It will be a major feat if they listen.
The message we hear is don’t come, we are not wanted.
Wow, this is the first time, that I agreed with everyones post on here. Personally, I found it exhausting to plan a trip. The ups and downs in one year of planning, took so much away from what should have been a light fund exciting return trip to Maui. Of course, it is sad for any disaster and Lahaina is huge. But, the negativity was experienced on social media before the fire and so, I am just playing a waiting game on any Maui return trips. Right now, don’t have any interest to return to any of the Hawaiian Islands. It appears that Kauai is now overcrowded and having same issues with tourism.
The daily room rates at the condo in Wailua in Kauai where we have been vacationing for over 20 years are still the same
as last year even though they have more vacancies?
Was spending really up or was it that inflation caused spending to be higher?
Johannes;
Based on the US monthly inflation rate of around 3.6%, the real increase would seem to be around 2% for Oahu, say. But I’m not sure that’s a valid comparison because that 3.6% rate is for the whole US on average. The rate for Hawaii may not be the same. I agree 5.8% is a little misleading, unless the report took that into account.
Inflation!
Dinner and lunches in our favorite restaurants is much more expensive. Restaurant costs are up at least 50%, hotel room costs are up 25%. We avoid hotels when we can. When traveling on business, the Waikiki hotel costs jumped over $100 in the past 2-years.
We cooked 3-times a many meals in the condo this year, more than any previous trip.
My wife and I (residing in North Carolina) spent a few days last October in Kihei at a good sized vacation rental on the Minatoya list. We had the time of our lives. Our experiences on Oahu and Maui were nothing but positive. Our hearts were broken at the disaster in Lahaina and we made a special effort to patronize local businesses and spend more than we typically would have, as well as making donations to local relief efforts. We have been looking forward to returning.
However, in reading about this new initiative regarding the vacation rentals and the attitudes of those in power regarding visitors, I’m not sure we will return. I certainly don’t want to go on vacation somewhere that I and my money are not welcome. Frankly, with graduate economics training, I fail to see how this proposal to eliminate the rentals benefits the housing crisis. And I doubt I’ll be able to afford a hotel as they will likely double their rates.
Why should anyone come to Hawaii? Tourists are been treated badly. Sidewalks and beaches are full of homeless with no toilets.Racism runs high and we only drool after the Japanese market…
This is causing the economy to contract, killing businesses and costing jobs which drive locals off island. The “antis” are hurting Maui.
We, for one, are part of the “substantial drop” to Maui. We are only two, but it appears far from the only ones who felt unwelcome as a tourist, even though we worked hard to try and leave it better than we found it. The attitude of the too many politicians and locals who think the government owes them a free ride for life has successfully soured the proverbial milk. The cost of one week on Maui gave us two weeks in Europe. At the risk of being edited by BOH editors (sorry Jeff and Rob), Maui dared tourists to “faafo” … and we “found out” there is life after Maui.
Definitely not surprised that Canadians are staying away. Not only have prices increased dramatically for accommodations, but the CAD is horrible compared to the USD. 45% exchange rate will not be attracting many Canadians especially when our dollar can go a whole lot further in other locations.
I was planning a return trip next year but all our typical condos we stay in have increased prices at least 2 fold and airfare is the same. Hawaii may now be out of reach financially for us unfortunately and the cost of a hotel will not be any cheaper.
We support all local companies when we visit which will now suffer. I am sure we are not the only one rethinking.
I have collected air miles on Hawaiian for years. Are they still good?
Thanks BOH for this great summary. I think what Hawai’i would ultimately like to see is visitor numbers decrease and spending increase.
Josh,
I believe you hit the nail on the head!
The challenge with that is that Big Corporate Tourism needs their profit numbers to grow every quarter, and every year. So that means continued price increases every year in order to keep those profit numbers growing with a dwindling number of people coming to the islands. Eventually, they will price themselves out of the market. We are starting to see some of that already with the comments from people who are choosing to go elsewhere. Sure, initially it will be the budget tourists, but that won’t last forever. I think that in the long term what Hawaii needs to figure out is how to get back to a model before Big Corporate Tourism took over their entire economy, and that won’t be easy.
“Summer 2024 Brings Notable Decline In Hawaii Visitors”
Pretty sure Kauai had the increase in visitors due to the Maui decrease.
Stupid question here. Why does it have to grow? Is indefinite growth sustainable? If not, what’s the upper limit, and have we reach, or even surpassed it yet in Hawaii?