Maui tourism revenue down $1 billion, a year after wildfires
One year on, the devastating wildfires have cost almost $1 billion in lost tourism revenue for Maui.
Wildfires last year killed 102 people and completely destroyed the historic town of Lahaina leaving thousands homeless.
Maui tourism has in the past generated about two-thirds of Maui’s GDP, according to the Maui Economic Development Board.
Although most of Maui reopened three months later, there has still been a decline of about 25% in tourist arrivals this year.
Spending in the first half of 2024 is down from $3.47 billion in 2023 to $2.64 billion.
“People still feel guilty coming to Maui to celebrate in front of workers who have lost everything,” said Josh Hargrove, GM at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali.
“That’s where we’re stuck right now.”
Following the disaster there was a groundswell of anti-tourism feeling although this has mostly disappeared as the economic reality has set in during the last year.
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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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