Visitor days reach record In the latest edition of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) newsletter, the average number of nonstop passengers on domestic flights arriving in Hawai‘i was even (100 percent) with 2003 levels for the seven-day period
Visitor days reach record
In the latest edition of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) newsletter, the average number of nonstop passengers on domestic flights arriving in Hawai‘i was even (100 percent) with 2003 levels for the seven-day period ending January 28.
According to statistics published by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), total domestic and international (excluding Canada) passenger arrivals decreased to 97 percent of last year’s average.
Nonstop passenger arrivals from Japan also declined over 2003 levels (84 percent) for the seven-day period.
Visitor Days Reach Record
High in 2003
Total visitor days increased to a record high 61.9 million, a 3.0 percent increase over 2002, according to preliminary figures published by DBEDT.
U.S. visitor days, which made up nearly 73 percent of all visitor days in 2003, also reached a milestone, recording 45.0 million days, a 4.1 percent increase over 2002 figures.
CURRENT INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
Northwest to Resume Suspended Daily Service Between LAX-Honolulu
After suspending daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International and Honolulu in December 2003, Northwest Airlines has announced that it will reinstate the flight starting July 1, 2004.
A Boeing 757-300 aircraft seating 224 passengers will service the flight.
Honolulu ranks among top destinations this winter
The “Winter Hot Spots Survey” conducted by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and Fodor’s reveals that Honolulu is the fifth most popular domestic destination during the 2003-2004 winter season.
Four percent of all surveyed ASTA-member travel agents ranked Honolulu as the “hot spot” for travel this winter.
Travel agents also ranked the state of Hawai‘i as the fifth most popular state destination this winter, after Florida, Nevada, California, and New York.
National and International CONSUMER TRAVEL BEHAVIORS
World Tourism Falls in 2003, Growth Expected in 2004
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) reports that the number of international tourist arrivals in 2003 dropped 1.2 percent to 694 million, the largest annual decline ever registered.
The 8.5 million drop in world arrivals between 2002 and 2003 was in large part due to the conflict in Iraq, SARS, and an overall weak world economy, according to the WTO.
However, the forecast for 2004 is optimistic, based on signs of reduced global military conflict, and expected economic recovery in the U.S., Japan and Western Europe.
National Consumer Confidence Index Up 5.1 Points in January
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence improved 5.1 points in January to reach 96.8 (1985=100), the highest level reached since July 2002.
The “Present Situation” index increased to 80 (from 74.3 in December), and the “Expectations” index rose to 108.1 (from 103.3 in December).
The Conference Board suggests that while growing optimism about the economy continues to boost the short-term outlook, the weak and volatile labor market continues to suppress confidence in the current economy.
