LIHUE — The number of visitors to Hawaii climbed nearly 5 percent last month compared to the same month last year. The Hawaii Tourism Authority said Thursday more than 800,000 travelers came to the islands in August. Increased numbers arrived
LIHUE — The number of visitors to Hawaii climbed nearly 5 percent last month compared to the same month last year.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority said Thursday more than 800,000 travelers came to the islands in August. Increased numbers arrived from the U.S. mainland, Japan and Canada.
Spending rose more than 6 percent to $1.4 billion.
Kauai continues to enjoy a strong tourism season.
According to the HTA, visitor arrivals on Kauai totaled 111,904 for August, a 6.7 percent increase over last August.
Visitor spending on Kauai totaled $147.4 million for August, a 4 percent increase from August 2016.
For the first eight months of the year, visitor arrivals are at 866,572, a 7.2 percent increase from the first eight months of 2016.
Visitor spending through August totaled $1.3 billion, a 12.5 percent increase.
The agency says increased airplane seats from Minneapolis, Dallas and Chicago boosted travelers. So did the addition of flights from Tokyo to Honolulu and Kailua-Kona.
George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority said two key economic figures for the first eight months of 2017 reveal how fortunate the state’s tourism industry has been this year.
Through August, visitor spending statewide is at $11.3 billion and the state tax revenue generated by tourism is $1.3 billion.
“Knowing summer is the peak period for leisure travel globally, our state’s tourism industry partners deserve a collective thank you for how they continued to elevate Hawaii as a premier destination experience in August,” he said.
