Hawaii Visitor Statistics Released for October 2019

For Immediate Release: November 27, 2019
HTA Release (19-31)

2019-11-27 Hawaii Visitor Statistics Released for October 2019.pdf

HONOLULU – Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.33 billion in October 2019, a slight increase of 0.9 percent compared to October 2018, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Visitor spending includes lodging, interisland airfare, shopping, food, car rental and other expenses while in Hawaii.

Tourism dollars from the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) helped to fund a number of community events statewide during October, including the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, Maui Marathon, Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival, and Honolulu Pride Parade and Festival.

In October, visitor spending rose from U.S. West (+6.2% to $539.9 million), Japan (+1.1% to $186.6 million) and Canada (+3.1% to $63.0 million), but declined from U.S. East (-0.6% to $303.5 million) and All Other International Markets (-8.9% to $224.4 million) compared to a year ago.

On a statewide level, average daily visitor spending declined (-2.4% to $197 per person) in October year-over-year. Visitors from U.S. East (+3.2% to $220 per person) spent more per person, while visitors from Japan (-1.5% to $249 per person), Canada (-0.6% to $167 per person) and All Other International Markets (-15.2% to $207) spent less. Average daily spending by U.S. West visitors
(+0.3% to $177 per person) was similar to last year.

Total visitor arrivals increased 4.8 percent to 800,448 visitors in October, supported by growth in arrivals from air service (+5.2% to 779,909) which offset fewer arrivals by cruise ships (-8.3% to 20,539). Total visitor days increased 3.4 percent. The average daily census, or the number of visitors on any given day in October, was 216,955, up 3.4 percent compared to a year ago.

Visitor arrivals by air service increased in October from U.S. West (+8.8% to 357,197), Japan (+4.4% to 128,947), Canada (+3.6% to 32,243) and All Other International Markets (+4.5% to 113,008), but declined from U.S. East (-1.1% to 148,513) compared to a year ago.

Among the four larger islands, Oahu saw increased visitor spending (+2.8% to $608.6 million) in October, boosted by growth in visitor arrivals (+2.8% to 473,499) and higher daily spending (+1.3%). Maui reported declines in visitor spending (-1.1% to $377.1 million) and daily spending (-7.9%), but visitor arrivals increased (+10.9% to 240,135). The island of Hawaii saw increased visitor spending (+3.9% to $177.0 million), bolstered by growth in visitor arrivals (+14.5% to 131,947) which offset lower daily spending (-4.7%). Kauai recorded decreases in visitor spending (-4.6% to $140.7 million), daily spending (-1.5%) and visitor arrivals (-0.8% to 102,632) compared to a year ago.

A total of 1,063,333 trans-Pacific air seats serviced the Hawaiian Islands in October, up 4.1 percent from a year ago. Growth in air seats from U.S. East (+8.6%) and U.S. West (+8.5%) offset decreases from Other Asia (-10.6%), Canada (-10.2%), Oceania (-7.8%) and Japan (-4.4%).

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