Visitor arrivals to Hawaii are on the upswing.
According to preliminary statistics there were 707,486 visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in September 2024, up 7.8% from the same month last year. Hawaii Tourism Authority figures say arrivals in September 2024 represent a 96.1% recovery from pre-pandemic, September 2019 figures.
In September 2024, 19,188 visitors from Canada arrived in Hawai’i as a whole, an increase from September 2023 (18,647 visitors, +2.9%), but a decline compared to September 2019 (21,928 visitors, -12.5%).
The stats show visits from all outside destinations were down slightly for O’ahu (-1.3% for September of this year, versus last year), Hawai’i Island (-11.5%) and Kaua’i (-14.1% for September 2024, compared to 2023). But Maui was way up in overall visitors, jumping from 93,027 visitors in September of last year to 164,932 in September 2024. That’s 21.5% below September, 2019 levels, but a sizable 77.3% increase from September of last year.
Maui and Hawai’i tourism officials have been working hard to get the message out that Maui is open for visitors following the tragic fires that destroyed most of Lahaina, Maui in August, 2023.
The Sandbar lobby bar at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Photo Courtesy Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
“Maui’s recovery is good,” Eugene Tian, chief state economist with the department’s research and economic analysis division, told Maui News. “I think the recovery will continue.”
Sherry Duong, executive director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, told Maui News the latest numbers are a positive sign.
“We are truly encouraged by the notable increase in visitor spending and arrivals this September,” she said. “We’re grateful for the dedication of our partners in creating unique, meaningful experiences that continue to draw visitors to Maui.”
Not everyone is that optimistic.
Overall numbers across Hawaii are showing some improvement, which is good, but the recovery is slower than anticipated, especially into the first quarter of 2025, Jack Richards, president CEO of Pleasant Holidays in the U.S., told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Tourism industry leader Mufi Hannemann, the head of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, recently told KITV in Hawaii that the industry is providing incentives for people to come to Hawaii, [like] come for three nights, the fourth night is free, and so forth.
“All those things will help. The numbers don’t look very strong as we wind up the year, so we’re hoping to change the narrative and momentum come 2025.”
BUSINESS AND LEISURE TRAVEL BLEND FOR TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERTS AND SPORTING EVENTS, FLIGHT CENTRE SAYS
Taylor Swift. Raphael Lovaski-Unsplash Photo
New statistics from Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) indicate that business travellers are extending stays, reflecting the enduring appeal of blending work with leisure, also known as “bleisure.” Group officials say sporting events and big concerts such as Taylor Swift are causing business travellers to extend their trips.
An analysis across the group’s global corporate divisions—Corporate Traveller and FCM Travel—shows a shift in travel patterns: single-day trips are growing slowly, while trips lasting 6-7 days have surged by 10% year-on-year. Global Business Travel Association’s 2024 Business Travel Index Outlook supports these findings, showing that one-day business trips are the least popular.
From April 1 to September 30, 2024, FCTG booking data show that longer business stays in Canada have increased by 27%, partly due to the integration of live sports and concerts into business travel plans Additionally, a recent FCTG travel trends report, indicates 45% of Canadians surveyed are likely to travel for a live sporting event.
“There are several reasons for extended business stays, like combining leisure activities with business trips and getting more done in one go,” says Chris Lynes, Managing Director for Flight Centre Travel Group Canada. “Whether it’s catching a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto, the CFL playoffs in Vancouver, or bringing the family along, we’re seeing more business travellers extend their stays around big events.”
(Here’s a story I posted on my site recently about the economic impact of Taylor Swift concerts in Toronto, along with tips on where her fans should visit when they’re in town.)
FCTG’s corporate Global State of the Market survey* found that over 75% of customers have travellers who integrate leisure with their business trips.
“These trends underscore the need for Canadian businesses to adapt to evolving travel preferences,” Lynes notes. “Emphasizing health and wellness through extended travel can enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. Business travel is often stressful and demanding, but by incorporating ‘bleisure’, companies can better balance professional and personal needs, adding significant value to each trip.”
A separate Corporate Traveller study highlights that nearly half (47%) of Canadian business travellers feel stressed during their trips. Offering flexible travel schedules can allow employees to extend their stays for personal activities, encouraging a more positive outlook on business travel and work-life balance.
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: 86% OF AMERICANS PLAN TO TRAVEL IN DECEMBER
A crowded airport. Sebastien Meier/Unsplash Photo
The holiday season is a time of joy, but for travelers — whether by plane, train, or car — it often comes with its fair share of stress. With the possibility of travel disruptions looming, Digital Third Coast surveyed Americans about their holiday travel plans and analyzed U.S. airports to identify the ones with the most delays and cancellations.
More than 3 in 4 (76%) of Americans are planning to travel this holiday season, up from the estimated 62% in their 2023 holiday travel report. Nearly half (49%) are concerned about airport delays and cancellations, but 85% don’t plan on purchasing travel insurance. Some people may regret this decision, as the average American reports losing $161 in the last year due to airline delays and cancellations.
On average, Americans are budgeting $2,017 for holiday travel in 2024. In general, 40% of Americans report using points or rewards to help save money on travel. In fact, people report saving an average of $687 on travel in 2024 by utilizing these travel rewards.
By analyzing 2024 data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), we’ve uncovered the airports that are home to the most delays and cancellations. According to the DOT, a flight is considered delayed if it departed 15 minutes or more after the scheduled departure time.
When it comes to departure delays, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is the worst in the country. Baltimore is followed by Dallas/Fort Worth International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Miami International, and Dallas Love Field.
The airports across the country with the most cancellations include:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International
- Newark Liberty International
- LaGuardia Airport
- George Bush Intercontinental/Houston
- Portland International
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (32%) refuse to fly certain airlines due to bad travel experiences, and it’s not just airlines they’re steering clear of—20% also avoid specific airports because of delays or cancellations.
The top airports American say they avoid include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O’Hare International, and John F. Kennedy International. Holiday travel will begin in November as 47% plan to travel for Thanksgiving and 86% have travel plans in December.
When it comes to where Americans are traveling, 40% will be heading to a nearby state, 31% across the country, 16% in the same state, and 13% are leaving the U.S. For where people plan to stay, 59% will be with family, 26% at hotels/resorts, 7% with friends, and 6% in rentals.
