Tourism to Hawaii was reduced to a trickle this summer as total visitors to the state fell 98% year-over-year in August, according to data released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Since March 26, all out-of-state arrivals have been required to undergo a 14-day quarantine during which they can only leave their home or accommodations for a medical emergency.
In August 2019, 926,417 visitors arrived in the Aloha State, but in August of this year that figure fell to 22,344. The majority of those visitors, 12,778, came from the U.S. West. Total visitor days for the month decreased 91% compared to the same period last year.
The drop in visitation was reflected in August numbers for Hawaii's hotels, with revenue per available room down 86%, average daily rate declining 46%, and occupancy rate decreasing 62 percentage points to 22% compared to August 2019. Hotel revenue statewide for the month fell 92% year-over-year.
Through the first eight months of 2020 visitor arrivals are down 69% compared to January through August 2019. Last year was a record tourism year for Hawaii with 10.4 million visitors.