Hawaii’s visitor industry continues to be impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. According to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the average daily census1 showed that there were 90,776 visitors in Hawaii on any given day in February 2021, compared to 250,052 visitors per day in February 2020.
During February, most passengers arriving from out-of-state and traveling inter-county could bypass the State’s mandatory 10-day self-quarantine with a valid negative COVID-19 NAAT test result from a Trusted Testing Partner through the state’s Safe Travels program. All trans-Pacific travelers participating in the pre-travel testing program were required to have a negative test result before their departure to Hawaii. Kauai County continued to temporarily suspend its participation in the Safe Travels program for trans-Pacific travelers, but inter-island travelers who had been in Hawaii for more than three days could bypass the quarantine with a valid test result. Trans-Pacific travelers to Kauai were given the option of participating in a pre- and post-travel testing program at a “resort bubble” property as a way to shorten their time in quarantine. The counties of Hawaii and Maui also had a partial quarantine in place in February. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continued to enforce the “Conditional Sailing Order” on all cruise ships.
A total of 235,283 visitors traveled to Hawaii by air service in February 2021, compared to 828,056 visitors who came by air and cruise ships a year ago. Most of the visitors were from the U.S. West (164,861, -53.6%) and U.S. East (63,899, -67.1%). Also, 695 visitors came from Japan (-99.4%) and 493 visitors came from Canada (-99.2%). There were 5,336 visitors from All Other International Markets (-93.2%). Many of these visitors were from Guam, and a small number of visitors were from Other Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, Philippines and Pacific Islands.
In terms of average daily census, there were 60,249 visitors present in Hawaii on any given day during February from U.S. West (-42.7%), 26,996 visitors from U.S. East (-59.0%), 430 visitors from Japan (-98.2%), 488 visitors from Canada (-98.2%), and 2,613 visitors from All Other International Markets (-89.9%), down considerably compared to February 2020.
Total visitor spending2 in February 2021 was $385.3 million (-73.6%). This represented an average of $13.8 million per day, compared to $50.3 million per day in February 2020. U.S. West visitors spent $9.4 million per day (-52.2%). U.S. East visitors spent $4.1 million per day (-71.3%). Visitors from Japan spent $86.1 thousand per day (-98.5%). Visitors from Canada spent $80.6 thousand per day (-98.4%). Spending data for visitors from other markets were not available.
There were 2,556 trans-Pacific flights and 532,220 air seats that serviced the Hawaiian Islands in February 2021. This averaged out to 91 flights and 19,008 air seats per day, which is far less than the 172 flights and 38,186 seats per day in February 2020. There were no scheduled seats from Oceania, and considerably fewer scheduled seats from Other Asia, Japan, Canada, U.S. East, U.S. West, and Other countries compared to a year ago.
Year-to-Date 2021
For the first two months of 2021, total visitor spending dropped to $768.7 million (-75.8%). This represented an average of $13.0 million per day compared to $52.9 million per day, year-over-year. The average daily census decreased to 85,519 total visitors compared to 260,059 visitors per day, year-to-date February 2020.
Other Highlights:
U.S. West: In February 2021, arrivals from the Pacific (125,939 visitors) and Mountain (38,921 visitors) regions were about half the volume of visitors who came a year ago. In terms of accommodations, 41.7 percent of U.S. West visitors stayed in hotels, 24.0 percent stayed in condominiums, 14.0 percent stayed with friends and relatives, 13.6 percent stayed in rental homes and 11.4 percent stayed in timeshares.
Through the first two months of 2021, visitor arrivals decreased considerably from both the Pacific and Mountain regions. Year-to-date, per person per day visitor spending decreased to $155 (-17.0%). Shopping expenses were slightly higher, while lodging, food and beverage, transportation, and entertainment and recreation expenses decreased compared to the first two months of 2020.
Key U.S. West markets had travel restrictions in place during February. California residents were advised to quarantine for 10 days after re-entering their state. San Francisco and Santa Clara counties maintained their mandatory 10-day quarantine for people coming from outside their region. In Oregon, returning residents were encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days after their return. In Washington, a
14-day quarantine was recommended for residents returning from interstate and international travel.
U.S. East: All U.S. East regions in February 2021 showed significant reduction in visitor arrivals compared to a year ago. Of the 63,899 U.S. East visitors, the majority were from the East North Central (15,151 visitors), South Atlantic (12,339 visitors) and West South Central (11,078 visitors) regions. In terms of lodging, 48.2 percent of U.S. East visitors stayed in hotels, 17.5 percent stayed in condominiums, 17.0 percent stayed with friends and relatives, 12.6 percent stayed in rental homes and 10.9 percent stayed in timeshares.
Through the first two months of 2021, per person per day visitor spending dropped to $161 (-27.9%). Lodging, food and beverage, entertainment and recreation, and transportation expenses were lower while shopping expenses were similar to a year ago.
In New York, all travelers, including returning residents, had the option to “test out” of the mandatory 10-day quarantine for asymptomatic individuals. A COVID-19 test was required within three days before their return to New York, followed by three days of quarantine. On the fourth day of their quarantine, a second COVID-19 test was required. If both tests came back negative, they could exit quarantine early upon receipt of the second negative test.
Japan: Of the 695 visitors in February 2021, 642 visitors arrived on international flights from Japan and 53 came on domestic flights. Nearly all (99.5%) made their own travel arrangements. In terms of lodging, 34.0 percent stayed with friends and relatives, 33.2 percent stayed in hotels,17.4 percent stayed in condominiums, 11.8 percent stayed in rental homes and 2.2 percent stayed in timeshares.
Through the first two months of 2021, per person per day visitor spending declined to $202 (-15.9%). Lodging expenses increased while food and beverage, shopping, entertainment and recreation, and transportation expenses declined.
In February, all travelers, including returning Japanese nationals were required to quarantine for 14 days. In addition, the Japan government required proof of a negative PCR test for all entry into Japan.
Canada: Of the 493 visitors in February 2021, 255 visitors arrived on direct flights from Canada while 238 visitors arrived on domestic flights. Most of the visitors were independent travelers (95.1%). In terms of lodging, 42.1 percent stayed in hotels, 24.8 percent stayed in condominiums, 13.2 percent stayed in rental homes, 8.1 percent stayed with friends and relatives and 7.9 percent stayed in timeshares.
Through the first two months of 2021, per person per day visitor spending decreased to $171 (-4.6%). Food and beverage expenses increased, while lodging, transportation, shopping, and entertainment and recreation expenses were lower compared to a year ago.
Most travelers to Canada, including returning Canadian nationals, were required to take a COVID-19 molecular test when they arrived in Canada before exiting the airport, and another toward the end of their mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Effective February 18, most air travelers were required to reserve, prior to departure to Canada, a three-night stay in a government-authorized hotel. In addition, they were required to submit their travel and contact information, including a suitable quarantine plan, electronically via ArriveCAN before boarding their flight.
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[1] February 2020 included an extra day due to leap year. To directly compare with February 2021 data, the average daily census was used as a measure of visitor volume, and visitor spending was stated on a per day basis where applicable.
[2] For February 2021, spending statistics were from U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada visitors. Spending data for visitors from other markets were not available.
[3] For February 2021, spending statistics on each island were from U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan and Canada visitors. Spending data for visitors from other markets were not available.
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