The tourism industry in Hawaii lost ground in 2006, with visitors booking shorter vacations and spending less than in 2005.
The new year also is starting out more slowly than expected, reports the Pacific Business News in Honolulu.
“We are concerned about 2007,” said Marsha Wienert, the state tourism liaison.
Already, hotels are cutting rates for February and March and the state’s tourism marketers are accelerating promotions and advertising campaigns to sell Hawaii.
Last year also ended on an unexpectedly flat note, reported the newspaper.
Economists had forecast 2 to 3% growth in visitor arrivals, but the final number of 7.4 million was the same as the previous year. And the record $12 billion spent by visitors grew because of inflation, not splurging on helicopter tours and extravagant meals.
When adjusted for inflation, vacationers actually spent $11.46 billion last year, about $530 million less than in 2005, according to Bank of Hawaii economist Paul Brewbaker.
That means 2006 visitor spending came in lower than in 11 of the past 18 years, according to Mr Brewbaker’s research.
“With everything we faced last year, it could have been a lot worse,” Ms Wienert said, referring to the winter floods, the Waikiki sewage spill and the Oct. 15 earthquake.
Report by David Wilkening
