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The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has released visitor statistics for October 2018, revealing strong visitor arrivals – and Virgin Australia has applied for codeshare flights with Hawaiian Airlines to a new market.

Figures for October 2018 reveal the Oceania market’s strong visitor arrivals of 344,253 year to date.

Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania manages the marketing initiatives in Australia and New Zealand, with Australian visitors accounting for 82.1% and New Zealand visitors accounting for 17.9% of arrivals in Hawai‘i.

The 2018 October Visitor Statistics show the Oceania market has experienced a 4.6% increase in visitor arrivals year to date and is forecast to see a 5.8% increase between 2017 and 2018.

Giselle Radulovic, country manager Australia for Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania, said the October 2018 results were promising for the Oceania market.

“The October 2018 figures reflect strong growth for the Oceania region, building on an already strong visitation rate to Hawai‘i,” Radulovic said.

Following the recent figures released in the 2017 Visitor Research Report, the October 2018 Visitor Statistics highlight the importance of the Oceania market for Hawaii’s tourism.

Hawaiian Airlines over Hawaii

The October statistics showed a consistent average length of stay of 9.6 days, in line with year to date figures from 2017, and visitor expenditures of AUD 886.5 million.

“The forecast figures for 2018 show that Hawai’i continues to be a much loved holiday destination for Australians and Kiwis. We predict more than 400,000 arrivals in Hawai‘i by the end of the year,” Radulovic said.

MEANWHILE, Virgin Australia has applied to the International Air Services Commission to permit the use of capacity to provide code share services with Hawaiian Airlines on the New Zealand route.

“As part of a codeshare arrangement between Virgin Australia and Hawaiian Airlines, it is proposed that Hawaiian Airlines will offer codeshare services on flights operated by Virgin Australia on the New Zealand route,” the Australian carrier advised.

Details of the code-share agreement remain confidential.

Virgin Australia is already a codeshare partner with Hawaiian Airlines from Sydney to Honolulu and the neighbouring islands of Maui, Kauai and The Big Island.

The partnership offers Velocity frequent flyer members the ability to earn and redeem Velocity points and gain status credits on eligible flights.

Written by Peter Needham