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Holiday travel to Hawaii less robust than in previous years
AAA is expecting a 7.2 percent drop in Thanksgiving trips that require air travel
STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORYWhile some segments of Hawaii's visitor industry have seen a small increase in weekly travel as a result of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, overall the industry is projecting a double-digit drop from the prior year.
Nationwide, Thanksgiving travel is expected to decline a modest 1.4 percent compared to a year ago; however, Hawaii's distance makes it more difficult to capitalize on holiday trends.
The lure of relatives and low-priced offers might entice kamaaina to take a flight to visit the neighbor islands; however, it's doubtful that will be enough to bring more visitors to Hawaii, said Barry Wallace, executive vice president of Hospitality Services for Outrigger Enterprises.
Still, Hawaii's visitor industry is attempting to make the best of what it has to offer. The industry is marketing heavily to kamaaina and to travelers from nearby destinations like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Hoteliers and wholesalers are offering incentives including free room nights, free food, resort credits and free rental cars.
— Allison Schaefers
FULL STORY >>
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 19, 2008
Hawaii's Thanksgiving travel outlook is less robust than nationwide projections, which suggests that tradition will motivate travelers to overcome their concern about the economy.
Nationwide, Thanksgiving travel is expected to decline 1.4 percent compared with a year ago, according to a survey released yesterday by AAA. However, the auto club is projecting a 7.2 percent drop for Thanksgiving trips that require air travel, and destinations like Hawaii that require long flights may post even greater declines.
While some segments of Hawaii's visitor industry have seen a small pick-up in weekly travel from the holiday, overall the industry is projecting double-digit drops from the prior year. No matter what spin the marketers put on it, it takes more time, money and planning to experience a holiday vacation in Hawaii.
The lure of relatives and low-priced offers might entice kamaaina to take a ferry or a flight to visit the neighbor islands; however, it's doubtful that will be enough to bring more visitors to Hawaii, said Barry Wallace, executive vice president of Hospitality Services for Outrigger Enterprises.
"The Thanksgiving weekend is running about 10 percent ahead of any other weekend this month; however, it will be much less robust than it has been in previous years ," Wallace said. "We'll continue to see double-digit declines throughout the fourth quarter."
There are still plenty of air seats, hotel rooms and discount packages available to visitors who want to sample the islands for the holidays, said Wallace, who also serves on the board of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association.
"It's still possible to get a last minute booking," he said. "In prior years, the inventory would have easily been booked by the end of summer or September at the latest. We just aren't in that kind of market this year."
Softness in the market has resulted in Hawaii's hotels and wholesalers offering their best prices ever, said Jack E. Richards, president and chief executive of Pleasant Holidays.
"The economy is getting worse and worse and worse so we are working with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau to stimulate travel," Richards said.
Hawaii's visitor industry is not holding back on specials, said Jay Talwar, vice president of marketing for HVCB.
"I've had meetings with most of the major hoteliers and they are all out with the best offers that we've had," Talwar said.
Pleasant Holidays experienced one of its best weeks to Hawaii for the year after it began offering three-day air and hotel packages for less than $400 to Honolulu from San Francisco and Los Angeles, Richards said.
"We've never offered better specials than this," he said. "This is huge and it's helping stimulate demand for Hawaii."
In anticipation of rising kamaaina demand, Hawaii SuperFerry has added voyages during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, said Neil Takekawa, vice president of marketing and sales for the Hawaii Superferry.
"Thanksgiving actually is quite exciting for us -- there is a lot of demand going both ways," Takekawa said "You can't underestimate the importance of connections in Hawaii. People are willing to spend the money and make the effort to be with family.
The Superferry has sold all seats on its 11 a.m. voyage to Oahu the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
"After the Thanksgiving feast, we'll probably be sitting a little low in the water," he said.
A SAMPLING OF KAMAAINA SPECIALS
» Hilton Family Hawaii hotels are offering fall kamaaina rates ranging from $119 a night at the Doubletree Alana Hotel in Waikiki to $295 a night at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa on Maui. For reservations visit www.hiltonfamily.com. Offers are available through Dec. 20.» Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki are both offering kamaaina free parking and a $25 shopping/dining credit when staying two nights or more. Prices start at $195 at the Outrigger Waikiki and $160 at the Outrigger Reef. The Wyland Waikiki is offering kamaaina rates starting at $109, which includes a free upgrade plus continental breakfast for two at Kimobean Hawaiian Coffee. Visit www.outrigger.com or call (866) 956-4262.
» Hawaii Superferry is waiving its extra baggage fees through Jan. 5. Passengers who are traveling without a car will be able to carry four bags each. The Superferry is also offering the military a $39 discount one-way fare and a complimentary ticket for a traveling companion. Visit www.HawaiiSuperferry.com for more information and arrival and departure times.
Hawaii's Thanksgiving travel outlook is less robust than nationwide projections, which suggests that tradition will motivate travelers to overcome their concern about the economy.
Nationwide, Thanksgiving travel is expected to decline 1.4 percent compared with a year ago, according to a survey released yesterday by AAA. However, the auto club is projecting a 7.2 percent drop for Thanksgiving trips that require air travel, and destinations like Hawaii that require long flights may post even greater declines.
While some segments of Hawaii's visitor industry have seen a small pick-up in weekly travel from the holiday, overall the industry is projecting double-digit drops from the prior year. No matter what spin the marketers put on it, it takes more time, money and planning to experience a holiday vacation in Hawaii.
The lure of relatives and low-priced offers might entice kamaaina to take a ferry or a flight to visit the neighbor islands; however, it's doubtful that will be enough to bring more visitors to Hawaii, said Barry Wallace, executive vice president of Hospitality Services for Outrigger Enterprises.
"The Thanksgiving weekend is running about 10 percent ahead of any other weekend this month; however, it will be much less robust than it has been in previous years ," Wallace said. "We'll continue to see double-digit declines throughout the fourth quarter."
There are still plenty of air seats, hotel rooms and discount packages available to visitors who want to sample the islands for the holidays, said Wallace, who also serves on the board of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association.
"It's still possible to get a last minute booking," he said. "In prior years, the inventory would have easily been booked by the end of summer or September at the latest. We just aren't in that kind of market this year."
Softness in the market has resulted in Hawaii's hotels and wholesalers offering their best prices ever, said Jack E. Richards, president and chief executive of Pleasant Holidays.
"The economy is getting worse and worse and worse so we are working with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau to stimulate travel," Richards said.
Hawaii's visitor industry is not holding back on specials, said Jay Talwar, vice president of marketing for HVCB.
"I've had meetings with most of the major hoteliers and they are all out with the best offers that we've had," Talwar said.
Pleasant Holidays experienced one of its best weeks to Hawaii for the year after it began offering three-day air and hotel packages for less than $400 to Honolulu from San Francisco and Los Angeles, Richards said.
"We've never offered better specials than this," he said. "This is huge and it's helping stimulate demand for Hawaii."
In anticipation of rising kamaaina demand, Hawaii SuperFerry has added voyages during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, said Neil Takekawa, vice president of marketing and sales for the Hawaii Superferry.
"Thanksgiving actually is quite exciting for us -- there is a lot of demand going both ways," Takekawa said "You can't underestimate the importance of connections in Hawaii. People are willing to spend the money and make the effort to be with family.
The Superferry has sold all seats on its 11 a.m. voyage to Oahu the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
"After the Thanksgiving feast, we'll probably be sitting a little low in the water," he said.
A SAMPLING OF KAMAAINA SPECIALS
» Hilton Family Hawaii hotels are offering fall kamaaina rates ranging from $119 a night at the Doubletree Alana Hotel in Waikiki to $295 a night at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa on Maui. For reservations visit www.hiltonfamily.com. Offers are available through Dec. 20.» Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki are both offering kamaaina free parking and a $25 shopping/dining credit when staying two nights or more. Prices start at $195 at the Outrigger Waikiki and $160 at the Outrigger Reef. The Wyland Waikiki is offering kamaaina rates starting at $109, which includes a free upgrade plus continental breakfast for two at Kimobean Hawaiian Coffee. Visit www.outrigger.com or call (866) 956-4262.
» Hawaii Superferry is waiving its extra baggage fees through Jan. 5. Passengers who are traveling without a car will be able to carry four bags each. The Superferry is also offering the military a $39 discount one-way fare and a complimentary ticket for a traveling companion. Visit www.HawaiiSuperferry.com for more information and arrival and departure times.
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