Hawaii anticipates a decline in visitor arrivals this year and next, with a modest uptick to follow in 2010 and 2011. Spending is also expected to decrease this year.
In its latest quarterly report, released last week, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism stated that total visitor arrivals are now expected to decline 6.7% in 2008, compared with a projected 3% decrease in the previous forecast.
The DBEDT said it expects a total of 7.1 million visitors in 2008 and spending of $11.9 billion.
State economists cited the shutdown of Aloha Airlines and ATA coupled with the departure of two domestic cruise ships from Hawaii's market for the decline in this year's arrivals.
The report projected a slight decrease in total visitor arrivals in 2009, with counts hovering at 7 million, followed by 1.4% and 1.7% growth in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Spending for 2009 is expected to increase to $12.3 billion.