Hawaii had a record number of business and cruise travelers last year, according to final statistics from the state, and that upward trend is expected to continue in 2006.
Meetings, conventions and incentive travel rose by more than 27% in 2005. Cruise visitors were up almost 44% compared to the previous year.
“2005 was a great year for Hawaii’s visitor industry with all three indicators – visitor expenditures, visitor days, and arrivals – posting record highs,” said State Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert.
She added:
“We achieved a milestone in total visitor days, of 68.2 million. This was boosted by record arrivals of 7.5 million visitors which resulted in a 9.6 percent increase in visitor spending ($11.9 billion).”
Hawaii tourism is on pace to meet and almost certainly exceed last year’s performance. One reason is that a third new Norwegian Cruise Line ship was added this year.
The rising figures come despite year-to-date Japan arrivals that are down through July.
“What we have seen year to date is the domestic market filling up those gaps,” said Ms Wienert.
Report by David Wilkening
