After a strong March, Hawaii has posted double-digit gains in both first quarter tourist arrivals and spending.
For the first three months of 2018, spending was up to $4.8 billion from nearly 2.6 million visitors, both up year-on-year by about 10%.
Quarterly spending grew in every segment except the cruise market.
All four island counties saw gains in tourism related spending, said Hawaii Tourist Authority president George Szigeti said.
"This is money being circulated throughout the economy in activities, restaurants, retail shops and service providers and is strengthening jobs for families statewide," he said.
"Hawaii continued to do well in major categories that indicate how tourism is strengthening the state’s economy."
The tourism agency is bullish for the remainder of the year although the aftermath of the heavy flooding in Kauai is currently still impacting tourism numbers there.
