Big Island hotel occupancy declines for fourth month
The fallout from the Kilauea eruption on Hawaii’s Big Island was still being felt through the end of last month, with hotel occupancy declining again.
The fourth consecutive month of decline saw occupancy at just 58.7%.
That is a double-digit fall from September 2017.
Hotels’ average revenue per available room fell 12.5% to $121.90, although it is still up year-to-date compared to 2017.
Despite the prolonged hit to the tourism industry since the Kilauea eruption in May, there is cautious optimism the rebound has already begun.
There is a lull in volcanic activity and little likelihood of another eruption anytime soon, and the Hawaii Volcanoes national Park has reopened to visitors.
"I think it’s gradually improving, thanks to airline seats," Ross Birch, president of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau.
Seat capacity to Kona for November is up more than 20% on last year, at 80,000 seats.
Birch said the reopening of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park should see an increase in day-trip traffic from Oahu and Maui.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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