HI Tourism rebounds to pre-recession levels

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

"Newly compiled figures show the number of visitors to the Aloha State rebounded in 2011 to its highest level since 2007.

State estimates being released Monday show the number of visitors to Hawaii rose 3.8% to 7.28 million from 7.02 million in 2010, amid increases in most of the islands' major markets. "

Hawaii Says 'Aloha' to More Visitors - WSJ.com

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

Later in the article:

"Visitor spending was up 15.6% last year to $12.58 billion, just shy of the record $12.63 billion in 2007."

(Emphasis mine.)

[singlemalt_18 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close singlemalt_18]

A big part of the spending gains are due to inflation and higher costs; visitors are off 350 million from the high, but overall spending is only off by $50 million. People are apparently willing to pay up for the Aloha premium 'cause it sure ain't no mexico! (But I don't think these numbers have been adjusted for the Point @ Poipu SA... )

I guess its good that things are getting back on track, but we sort of liked the fact that "the masses" we no longer going there.