Hawaii Visitor Arrivals Down 14.2 Percent in June

So far this year, Hawaii’s peak tourism season of June through August has been anything but, as there was a stunning drop in visitor arrivals and spending in June. Visitors to Hawaii in June dropped 14.2 percent, nearly matching what occurred after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“This is as scary as it’s ever been, and it’s going to get scarier,” said Mary Charles, founder of MC&A Inc., a destination management company. Some hotels will experience a 10 percent to 30 percent drop in bookings this fall, she said.

If the drop in visitors wasn’t bad enough, air arrivals spent 13.5 percent less in June. Air arrivals from Canada, a growing Hawaii market because of the soft U.S. dollar, jumped 18.6 percent compared with June 2007.

June’s visitor and spending drops reflects the loss of two Norwegian Cruise Line ships, increased fuel costs and a continued soft travel market, especially from the U.S. mainland, said Marsha Wienert, Hawaii tourism liaison.

Industry officials have discussed ways to alleviate the crisis, including tax credits, waiving landing fees, reducing prices for transportation and hotel rooms for air crews and even fuel hedging by the state.