MEDIA RELEASE
Total expenditures by visitors who came to Hawaii in June 2012 rose 20.4 percent compared to the previous year (or $207 million) to $1.2 billion1, a new record for the month of June, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Strong growth in total arrivals (+11.5% to 677,218 visitors) and higher daily spending contributed to this increase.
Among Hawaii’s top visitor markets in June 2012, arrivals by air from U.S. West were up 4 percent from a year ago to 285,342 visitors, the eighth month of consecutive growth.
Total U.S. West visitor expenditures grew 9.8 percent to $410 million.
U.S. East arrivals rose 8.1 percent to 173,002 visitors, the tenth straight month of increases, while total visitor spending increased (+10.6%) to $339 million.
Japanese arrivals grew 21.9 percent to 115,788 visitors, but remained below the June 1995 record of 177,299 visitors.
A longer length of stay (6.21 days from 5.79 days in June 2011) elevated total Japanese visitor expenditures (+31.4%) to $219.1 million.
Canadian arrivals increased 3.4 percent to 16,705 visitors. Total Canadian visitor expenditures grew 14.9 percent to $30.1 million due to higher daily spending.
Total visitor expenditures (+58.9% to $219.5 million) and arrivals (+39.6%) from all other2 markets showed particularly strong growth compared to June 2011.
Half Year 2012
For the first half of 2012, all visitor markets showed growth in total visitor expenditures and arrivals compared to the same period last year.
Total visitor expenditures climbed 21.4 percent to $7.1 billion, led by double digit increases from Japan (+26.2% to $1.2 billion), Canada (+12.6% to $590.6 million) and all others (+75.9% to $1.4 billion). Total arrivals rose 10.2 percent to 3,932,266 visitors.
Combined arrivals from all others market climbed 28.8 percent from a year ago.
Statement from Mike McCartney, president & CEO Hawaii Tourism Authority
Hawaii’s tourism economy is on pace to set a record-breaking year in 2012 with double digit increases in visitor arrivals and expenditures through June.
During the first six months, Hawaii welcomed 3.9 million guests and generated $7.1 billion in expenditures, an incremental $1.2 billion from the same period last year.
Hawaii continues to receive a growing number of arrivals from North America and other major markets, supported by additional domestic and international airlift.
Our collective efforts to encourage visitor travel to various Hawaiian Islands has generated significant increases in spending and has led to economic growth and job sustainability throughout the state.
On Hawaii Island, total visitor expenditures grew 4.3 percent to $130.8 million in June 2012, with average daily spending at $162. Total monthly arrivals rose 7.9 percent, led by increases from Japan (+16.7%), U.S. East (+6.6%), U.S. West (+3.5%) and Canada (16.2%).
Year-to-date, total arrivals to Hawaii Island increased 8.3 percent to 716,083 visitors, while expenditures grew 18.4 percent to $854.4 million).
This positive momentum is expected to continue through the second half of the year as airlift to the Hawaiian Islands expands with additional service by Allegiant Travel, Asiana Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and international charter flights.
The HTA also remains committed to working with industry partners and the community to provide authentic and unique experiences to keep visitors coming back to Hawaii and residents engaged and involved in the tourism industry.
— Find out more:
www.hawaiitourismauthority.org
It’s great that Hawaii’s number 1 industry is going strong, particularly in a recessionary environment. It’s also good that there are now more airlines that fly to Hawaii and that is also going to help our tourism industry over the long run.