More air seats, demand fuel further tourism gains

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

April saw gains in the state’s key visitor markets — the mainland, Japan and Canada — but it was the performance of other international markets that stood out with a combined 34.7 percent increase in visitor spending. Above, beachgoers lounge on the Royal Hawaiian groin in front of the Waikiki Sheraton pool.

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Hawaii’s booming tourism market continued in April despite record rainfall that caused massive flooding midmonth on Kauai.

April visitor arrivals climbed 6.6 percent to 803,005 as a result of growth in both air service and cruise ships, keeping the state on track for a record 10 million tourists in 2018. March, typically not a peak month for tourists, was a blockbuster for the most visitors in a single month at 903,550.

Visitor spending in the islands in April rose 13.4 percent over the previous year to $1.42 billion, according to preliminary numbers released Thursday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. HTA earlier released favorable statistics showing statewide hotel occupancy rising 2.8 percentage points year over year to 80.5 percent in April.

The tourism gains are largely driven by more air seat capacity and a strong demand during April’s shoulder month, said George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in a news release. Trans-Pacific air seats in April were up 10.9 percent to 1.1 million.

There were gains in the state’s key visitor markets — the mainland, Japan and Canada — but it was the performance of other international markets that stood out with a combined 34.7 percent increase in visitor spending that “helped solidify April’s success,” he said.

“A third of the year is now in the books and the tourism industry has turned in strong results,” Szigeti said. “It was especially heartening to see Kauai produce such strong results after enduring the record-setting rainfall and destructive flooding that shut down the north shore beyond Wainiha, including the popular Haena State Park and Kalalau Trail.”

Tourism officials are putting on a brave face despite major back-to-back natural disasters. After the flooding on Kauai, the industry is now dealing with one of the worst volcanic eruptions Hawaii island has seen in decades.

Statewide visitor arrivals year to date increased 8.7 percent to 3.3 million from the year-earlier period, while visitor spending rose 10.8 percent to $6.24 billion. April’s visitor spending helped boost state tax revenue generated by tourism to $728.5 million, an increase of 10.8 percent, or $71.3 million more than last year, the report said.