Hawaii's Resort Market at Lowest Point in Over 20 Years
One of the worlds leading resort destination Hawaii has seen its lowest performance since 1987. Industry media reports have highlighted that despite offering deep discounts, the tactic has not stimulated demand for hotel rooms. Speaking to local hoteliers their feeling is the bottom has not year been hit and that prospects for recovery in 2009 seem remote.
The Hawaii Visitors Bureau (HVB) is targeting inter-island travel and local tourism as a stop gap measure to shore up volume. The associated service industries such as restaurants and tourist attractions are feeling the bite and are hit hard on cash flow; hence targeting revenue at lower margins.
Here on another island sentiment on recovery of tourism this year looks to be pushing into next year, and occupancy over rate tactics look to dominate the short to medium term business strategies.