A report from well-known travel data firm Destination Analysts was disseminated to us by the state of Hawaii late today. “The State of the American Traveler” provides insights into what’s ahead for Hawaii travel. See if you agree that we travel as much as ever but are more focused on costs.
The findings from Destination Analysts was based on traveler data collected last month from 4,000 people.
“Even with tighter budgets, Americans don’t appear to be sacrificing their travel. Instead, many anticipate spending differently on their trips, making compromises on food and dining experiences and shopping purchases over shortening trip days or even scrimping on lodging.” — Destination Analysts.
Are people really visiting Hawaii with a $3,787 annual travel budget?
We aren’t sure about this, but the report says, “Expected travel budgets for the next year are currently averaging $3,787. While an increase compared to May’s ten-month low of $3,719, it still remains far below the $4,318 average of the first four months of 2023.”
“With the cost of Hawaii accommodations, dining, and airfare at all-time highs, we are still determining how this even applies to Hawaii vacations. It isn’t that it can’t be done, but it is just unlikely for a Hawaii vacation to fit into this annual budgetary amount.” — BOH.
The point is that even with the concerns about the US economy and high travel costs, most Americans are determined to keep traveling no matter what. The report says that the average number of vacations in the next year is reported to be 3.4, which is a 3-year high.
Economy paradigm returns post revenge travel.
Destination Analysts report that those who said they would travel within the next 3 months indicate, by a 60% majority, that they will compromise on some parts of their trip to save money. That’s precisely why we wrote about Nico’s Restaurant in Honolulu yesterday. A telltale sign is that just 16% of those surveyed said that economizing in any way on their vacation would be unlikely.
A better financial outlook ahead? Visitors are “cautiously optimistic.”
Travel analysts said that the expectation of recession is lower than in their last survey from May. At the same time, those who say they will be careful due to economic concerns are down somewhat, from 62.6% to 60.5%.
Visitors become accustomed to higher travel costs.
Our take is that visitors are becoming somewhat accustomed to ridiculously high travel costs. The report states that concerns about too-expensive costs have dropped from 37% to 32.8% since May, with airfare concerns also coming down from 28.9% to 25.2%. Overall, they report that those who were deterred from traveling dropped.
What are you willing to give up on your Hawaii vacation?
Since we don’t as a country appear poised to curtail travel, and that includes Hawaii travel in particular as far as we’re concerned. Of those surveyed, 48.9% said they’d compromise on food/dining, while 42.1 said they’d curtail shopping while traveling. And another 36% said they’d take shorter vacations, while only 29.5% said they’d scrip on accommodations. Fascinating! Regarding how visitors might save on food, 46.7% said it would be done through preparing their meals and snacks, and about an equal number said they’d do it via more budget restaurant choices.
Destination-Analysts-07.2023-PUBLIC
I was born and raised in Oahu in the 50’s 60’s & 70’s; I can’t think of a better place to be a child growing up in Paradice. both my parents worked two jobs, and we were middle class, by estimation. however, it wasn’t till I was drafted during the Vietnam War era, that I realized just how expensive Hawaii was. I’ve since left the islands for jobs and better pay. at hotel rates in the thousands for a one-night stay for most hotels, plus the car rental, and food, I’m lucky if I could afford a three-night stay. that’s so very sad when I truly miss my Aina.
My wife and I have been Hawaii on multiple trips. The last trip I tried to plan, would cost just under 10k. Rental vehicles were costing $250.00 a day and up. The trip was for six days. Airfare wasn’t bad, but accomodations was pricey. I now try to look at other destinations. Prices in Hawaii are now out of reach for my wife and I
I’ve definitely had to make changes in my Hawaii travel plans. We opted for six days instead of a week, rented an economy car instead of a convertible, and will be staying in 2-star accommodations where we’ll have access to kitchens for preparing our own food. We even chose lodging in areas with lower room taxes.
Tami,
I find 2-star too ri9sky. I always stay at 3 star or higher. And, that’s what I reserve for my employees when they travel; 3-star.
In the past, say, 30 years, I’ve missed one annual trip: once after major surgery and one of the COVID years.
Aloha
Another way to save on Hawaiian travel costs is to travel there less frequently.
20 years ago, we went to Hawaii only about once every five years. Beginning about seven years ago, we began going every year. That can easily be changed so that when we do go, we won’t need to pinch pennies so hard. That said, since the end of COVID, I do believe that hotels have engaged in opportunistic price gouging.
That could change too.
Just got back from 6 nights at Ko Olina and 2 nights at Waikiki Marriott. First trip to Oahu, so we did Arizona Memorial, Mighty Mo and Diamond Head in addition to the beaches at Waikiki and Kailua. We also did the Polynesian Cultural Center and Kahaluu Ranch with boat tour. My favorite spot was Waimea Falls and getting Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation on the way back. I look forward to exploring more sites on the next trip but would do Diamond Head and Waimea again for sure. Expensive, yes very expensive, but worth it. Golf at Ko Olina was fantastic too.
How do you spell
“Caribbean”? There is no way I will spend premium dollars on a substandard experience in Hawaii. It certainly appears that the citizens of Hawaii really don’t appreciate our business – excessive room rates, parking fees everywhere, premium prices on food and liquor in restaurants and expensive flights to the islands.
Last January, I was able to get a balcony cabin amidships on Princess for 2 for $1600. I am exploring all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, Cozumel and Aruba for this winter and it’s closer than Hawaii by half. No, Hawaii, you will not seem dollars until you get it under control and, to be honest, I do not see that happening.
No sugar for years
No pineapple for years
Military dollars limited to Oahu
Looking for a handout from the mainland in 5 years, very likely.
John L,
How do you pronounce
“Caribbean”?