For Immediate Release: June 30, 2005
DBEDT Release News 05-17

Note: May 2005 Visitor Research Data can be viewed here.

HONOLULU--Total expenditures by air visitors to Hawaii rose 4.9 percent to $845.5 million in May 2005, due to higher total visitor days (+2.2%) and daily spending per person ($176 per person vs. $172 per person in May 2004), according to data released today by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

A 4 percent growth in total arrivals--to 567,476 visitors--set a new record for the month of May.

"The latest data continue the strong and positive trend we have seen in our visitor industry since late 2003," said State Tourism Liaison, Marsha Wienert. "We are definitely headed for a record-breaking performance in arrivals this year - barring any unforeseen economic disruptions brought on by global events."

Domestic arrivals rose to a new high for the month of 409,316 visitors. Arrivals from Japan grew 8.3 percent, benefiting from the Golden Week holidays which began in late April through the first week of May."

On a year-to-date basis, total air visitor spending grew 6 percent to $4.4 billion compared to the first five months of 2004, while total visitor days rose 7.5 percent.

In addition, Hawaii's cruise industry continued to be robust with visitor days up by 38 percent in May 2005 and 46.1 percent year-to-date.

Year-to-Date 2005 preliminary visitor statistics:

Total Air Visitors: Year-to-date, air visitors spent a total of $4.4 billion while in Hawaii, 6 percent higher compared to the same period last year with increases from all four major visitor markets (U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada). For the first five months of 2005, visitor spending on Oahu totaled $2.2 billion, followed by Maui at $1.2 billion, the Big Island at $597.9 million and Kauai at $438.6 million.

Contributing to the growth in total visitor expenditures was a 7.5 percent increase in total visitor days supported by higher arrivals from both the domestic and international markets. The average length of stay by these visitors was 9.14 days.

Visitor arrivals rose on Oahu (+7.8%), Kauai (+0.7%), Maui (+3.2%) and the Big Island (+17.1%) compared to the same period last year.

A greater number of visitors came to vacation (+8%), honeymoon (+15.4%), visit friends or relatives (+6.9%) and for meetings, conventions and incentives (+16.5%).

Repeat visitors accounted for 63 percent of the total visitors to Hawaii, versus 62.6 percent in year-to-date 2004.

• Domestic air visitors: Domestic visitor days grew 7.2 percent as arrivals increased 6.2 percent to 2,058,565 visitors. The average length of stay was 9.93 days up from 9.83 days in year-to-date 2004.

  The number of U.S. visitors, which comprised 92 percent of total domestic arrivals, was 6.4 percent higher compared to the same period last year with increases from all U.S. regions. Total domestic arrivals include U.S. residents and international visitors who came to Hawaii on domestic flights.

• International air visitors: International visitor days were up by 8.1 percent due to a 10.2 percent growth in arrivals to 877,115 visitors. The average length of stay was 7.28 days.

• Air visitors from the top four major market areas (MMAs):

  U.S. West: Total spending by U.S. West visitors rose 5.3 percent compared to year-to-date 2004, to $1.5 billion, the highest among the four major visitor markets. The average daily spending was $143 per person. Visitor days for this group increased 6.4 percent, as arrivals grew 6.2 percent to 1,115,781 visitors. The average length of stay was virtually unchanged from year-to-date 2004 at 9.47 days. More of these visitors came to vacation, visit friends or relatives, and for conventions, corporate meetings and incentives compared to the same period last year.

  U.S. East: Ranked second in total visitors spending was U.S. East visitors at $1.4 billion, which was up 8 percent compared to the same period last year. This group of visitors spent an average of $167 per person per day, the second highest among the top four visitor markets. U.S. East visitor days rose 6.6 percent compared to year-to-date 2004. Contributing to the increase was a 5.5 percent growth in arrivals to 810,499 visitors. The average length of stay was 10.38 days. Similar to their U.S. West counterpart, more U.S. East visitors came to vacation, visit friends or relatives and attend corporate meetings.

Japan: Total spending by Japanese visitors surpassed year-to-date 2004 levels by 2.9 percent to $845.8 million. While ranking third in total expenditures, Japanese visitors spent the most on a daily basis at $245 per person. Japanese visitor days increased 6.8 percent, boosted by arrivals, which grew 8.3 percent to 607,293 visitors. The average length of stay by these visitors was 5.68 days. More Japanese visitors came to vacation, honeymoon, for conventions and incentives, and to visit friends and relatives compared to the same period last year.

Canada: Total expenditures and average daily spending by Canadian visitors ranked fourth among the top four major visitor markets at $221 million (+11.4%) and $125 per person, respectively. Canadian visitor days rose 14.9 percent due to a 11.9 percent growth in arrivals to 129,178 visitors year-to-date. The average length of stay was 13.69 days.

• Per person per trip expenditures by MMA:

  Year-to-date U.S. East visitors spent the most per trip at $1,735 per person, followed by visitors from Canada ($1,711 per person), from All Other markets ($1,534 per person), Japan ($1,393 per person) and the U.S. West ($1,352 per person).

Total cruise visitor days rose 46.1 percent during the first five months of 2005. Contributing to this increase was a 24.2 percent growth in out-of-state visitors to 114,013 passengers, including those who arrived by air to board cruise ships and those who came with the ships. These visitors were aboard two Hawaii-home ported ships, the Norwegian Wind and the Pride of Aloha, as well as 30 out-of-state cruise ships. In year-to-date 2004, there were 33 out-of-state cruise ships and one Hawaii home-ported ship, the Norwegian Star, touring the islands.

Repeat visitors to Hawaii comprised 55.4 percent of the out-of-state cruise visitors, compared to 59 percent in year-to-date 2004. These cruise visitors stayed an average of 8.74 days in Hawaii, of which 5.70 days were spent on their cruise and another 3.05 days were spent before and after their cruise.

Technical Notes: 2004 air visitor data presented in this press release are the final 2004 numbers. Detailed final statistics will be published in the 2004 Annual Visitor Research Report schedule for release in late July 2005.

For more information, contact:
Marsha Wienert, Tourism Liaison
Phone: (808) 586-2362
Email: marsha.wienert@hawaii.gov

Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov