“Scary” Situation for Hawaii Tourism
In what Hawaii tourism authorities are calling a “scary” situation tourism to the islands declined 13.6% in June. Visitations from Hawaii’s biggest market, the U.S. West Coast, were down a whopping 16.5% and down from the East Coast 17%. This along with the loss of two cruise ships added up the the loss of $153 million from the same month last year.
Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism compiles these figures each month. You can view the complete report here.
The general decline in the economy, higher airfares and the loss of two Norwegian Cruise line ship are thought to be the major contributors to the decline.
From my perspective, as a West Coast traveler, the airfares are the problem. I’m just not going to pay upwards of $800 for a round trip ticket to the Islands when I can go to Orlando (Disney World) for $300.
In related news Hawaiian Airlines announced today it’s going to begin charging for the first checked bag on Mainland flights.
Well, I can drive to Disneyland and bring as many bags as I want. By the way, did you notice their attendance (and income) is actually up for the year. Seems there’s lots of people who feel as I do.