Over half million visitors arrive in Hawaii during May

According to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), a total of 629,681 visitors arrived by air service to the Hawaiian Islands in May 2021, mainly from the U.S. West and U.S. East. In comparison, only 9,116 visitors arrived by air in May 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and Hawaii’s quarantine requirement for travelers. Total spending for visitors arriving in May 2021 was $1.10 billion¹. There is no comparative visitor spending data available for May 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, Hawaii experienced record-level visitor expenditures and arrivals in 2019 and in the first two months of 2020. When compared to 2019, visitor arrivals in May 2021 were down 25.7 percent from the May 2019 count of 847,396 visitors (air and cruise), and visitor spending decreased 22.2 percent from the $1.41 billion spent in May 2019.

In May 2021, the State’s Safe Travels program was still underway, with most passengers arriving from out-of-state able to bypass the 10-day self-quarantine with a valid negative COVID-19 prior to departure. The counties of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui and Kalawao (Molokai) also had a partial quarantine in place in May. The CDC enforced restrictions on cruise ships through a “Conditional Sail Order.”

The average daily census showed that there were 190,491 visitors in Hawaii on any given day in May 2021, compared to 8,323 visitors per day in May 2020, and 228,768 visitors per day in May 2019.

In May 2021, 418,956 visitors arrived from the U.S. West, well above the 5,842 visitors (+7,072.0%) in May 2020, and exceeding the May 2019 count of 387,844 visitors (+8.0%). U.S. West visitors spent $715.5 million in May 2021 which surpassed the $564.0 million (+26.9%) spent in May 2019.

There were 193,501 visitors from the U.S. East in May 2021, compared to 2,647 visitors (+7,209.6%) in May 2020, versus 199,344 visitors (-2.9%) in May 2019. U.S. East visitors spent $380.9 million in May 2021 compared to $392.4 million (-2.9%) in May 2019.

In May 2021,1,312 visitors came from Japan, compared to 14 visitors (+9,357.8%) in May 2020, versus 113,226 visitors (-98.8%) in May 2019. Visitors from Japan spent $4.9 million in May 2021 compared to $162.4 million (-97.0%) in May 2019.

Only 564 visitors arrived from Canada in May 2021, compared to 20 visitors (+2,711.0%) in May 2020, versus 26,424 visitors (-97.9%) in May 2019.

There were 15,347 visitors from All Other International Markets. 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 comparison, there were 593 visitors (+2.488.5%) from All Other International Markets in May 2020, versus 109,220 visitors (-85.9%) in May 2019.

In May 2021, a total of 4,064 trans-Pacific flights (+879.3% vs. May 2020, -19.6% vs. May 2019) and 829,917 seats (+749.0% vs. May 2020, -25.8% vs. May 2019) serviced the Hawaiian Islands. That included the U.S. West (703,639 seats), U.S. East (100,014 seats) and Guam (10,406 seats); and limited service from Japan (7,870 seats), Korea (2,502 seats), Manila (618 seats) and Canada (132 seats).

In May 2020, there were only 415 flights and 97,753 seats, with service from U.S. West (84,945 seats) and Guam (11,284 seats).

In May 2019, there were 5,052 flights and 1,118,421 seats, with service from U.S. West (727,060 seats), U.S. East (91,735 seats), Japan (161,248 seats), Oceania (41,905 seats), Other Asia (39,906 seats), Canada (20,026 seats) and Other Markets (26,940 seats).

Year-to-date 2021

A total of 1,960,796 visitors arrived in the first five months of 2021, down 8.3 percent compared to

year-to-date May 2020. Total arrivals decreased 53.6 percent when compared to year-to-date May 2019 arrivals of 4,224,071 visitors.

For the first five months of 2021, total visitor spending was $3.43 billion². Visitor spending declined by 52.6 percent from the $7.23 billion spent in the first five months of 2019.

Other Highlights

U.S. West: In May 2021, 317,150 visitors arrived from the Pacific region and 101,803 visitors came from the Mountain region. California issued a travel advisory that recommended caution and suggested

self-quarantine for unvaccinated Californians returning to the state. In Oregon, returning residents, were still advised to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival, except for asymptomatic travelers who had received a complete dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and it had been 14 days since their final dose. In Washington, returning residents who were fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine were not required to get tested before or after travel unless required by the destination, and did not need to

self-quarantine. Unvaccinated travelers were recommended to get tested before and after traveling.

In terms of accommodations, 49.7 percent of U.S. West visitors in May 2021 stayed in hotels, 20.6 percent stayed in condominiums, 12.2 percent stayed in rental homes, 11.0 percent stayed in timeshares and 11.0 percent stayed with friends and relatives.

Through the first five months of 2021, there were 1,344,101 visitors from the U.S. West compared to 917,741 visitors (+46.5%) in year-to-date 2020, versus 1,805,355 visitors (-25.5%) in year-to-date 2019. For the first five months of 2021, total visitor spending was $2.27 billion, down 17.3 percent from $2.75 billion in year-to-date 2019.

U.S. East: Of the 193,501 U.S. East visitors in May 2021, the majority were from the South Atlantic (47,554 visitors), West South Central (45,573 visitors) and East North Central (33,574 visitors) regions. In New York, there was no quarantine or testing requirements for asymptomatic domestic travelers. Unvaccinated returning residents were recommended to get tested three to five days after arrival in New York and consider non-mandated self-quarantine (for seven days if tested within three to five days, otherwise for ten days).

In terms of lodging, 56.8 percent of U.S. East visitors in May 2021 stayed in hotels, 15.6 percent stayed in condominiums, 12.8 percent stayed with friends and relatives, 12.2 percent stayed in rental homes and 8.8 percent stayed in timeshares.

Through the first five months of 2021, there were 560,540 visitors from the U.S. East compared to 518,185 visitors (+8.2%) in year-to-date 2020, versus 946,137 visitors (-40.8%) in year-to-date 2019. For the first five months of 2021, total visitor spending was $1.12 billion, a decrease of 41.7 percent from $1.92 billion in year-to-date 2019.

Japan: Of the 1,312 visitors in May 2021, 1,165 arrived on international flights from Japan and 147 came on domestic flights. The Japan government required proof of a negative PCR test for all entry into Japan. In addition, all travelers, including returning Japanese nationals, were required to quarantine for 14 days.

Nearly all (95.0%) visitors from Japan in May 2021 made their own travel arrangements. In terms of lodging, 44.4 percent stayed in hotels, 36.4 percent stayed in condominiums, 10.8 percent stayed with friends and relatives, 7.7 percent stayed in rental homes and 2.0 percent stayed in timeshares.

Through the first five months of 2021, there were 5,589 visitors from Japan compared to 294,255 visitors (-98.1%) in year-to-date 2020, versus 607,643 visitors (-99.1%) in year-to-date 2019. For the first five months of 2021, total visitor spending was $20.4 million, a drop of 97.6 percent from $850.4 million in year-to-date 2019.

Canada: Of the 564 visitors in May 2021, 29 visitors arrived on direct flights from Canada to Kahului, Maui, while 535 visitors arrived on domestic flights. Travelers to Canada, including returning Canadian nationals, were required to take a COVID-19 molecular test upon arrival, and another test toward the end of their mandatory 14-day quarantine. Prior to departure to Canada, most travelers were required to reserve 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.

Most of the visitors in May 2021 were independent travelers (94.7%). In terms of lodging, 42.5 percent stayed in hotels, 19.7 percent stayed in condominiums, 19.2 percent stayed with friends and relatives, 15.9 percent stayed in rental homes and 3.1 percent stayed in timeshares.

Through the first five months of 2021, there were 4,807 visitors from Canada compared to 155,764 visitors (-96.9%) in year-to-date 2020, versus 296,362 visitors (-98.4%) in year-to-date 2019.

For May 2021, visitor spending statistics were from U.S. West, U.S. East and Japan only. Spending data for visitors from the other markets were not available due to limited samples. Comparative visitor spending data for May 2020 were not available, as there was no fielding between April through October 2020 due to COVID19 restrictions.

Year-to-date May 2021 visitor spending statistics were from U.S. West, U.S. East, Japan, and Canada (Canada data were only available for January and February). Spending data for visitors from the other markets were not available due to limited samples. Note: Year-to-date May 2020 visitor spending statistics were not available, as there was no fielding between April through October 2020 due to COVID19 restrictions.