Aussies are spending up BIG when in the Aloha State, a new report by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority has revealed, with the total expenditure last year reaching US$877 million.
Nearly 336,00 Australians travelled to Hawaii last year, which equates to an average of US$2614 per person per trip. According to the preliminary 2016 data, this was up 3.8 percent on 2015 spending.
For Hawai’i Tourism Oceania (HTO) Australia Country Manager, Kerri Anderson, the excellent numbers confirm Australia’s love affair for the Hawaiian archipelago:
“Australia is Hawai’i’s third largest international market, which is quite astounding given our population size compared to other markets.”
Kerri Anderson, Australia Country Manager, Hawai’i Tourism Oceania (HTO).
“Australians go back to Hawai’i again and again, with more than 46 percent of visitors on at least their second trip – I’ve met many Aussies who go every year.”
The report also found that Aussies are spending on average 9.5 days in Hawaii, and that Travel Agents continue to be an important sales channel for the destination, with six out of ten booking their Hawai’i holiday through an agent.
To explain the continued growth in the Aloha State from the Australian market, Anderson cited the HTO’s efforts in communicating to Aussie travellers that Hawaii has so much more to offer beyond the expectation of sun, sand and sea:
“We showcased the depth and breadth of experiences across the neighbour islands by highlighting the dramatic geographical diversity, and also the great food, culture, history and range of experiences on each island.
“We have been very fortunate over the last couple of years to have strong support from our travel trade partners, with a greater interest and awareness of Hawaii’s unique attributes.
“Our trade partners are as important as ever in assisting us to give travellers a compelling reason to visit Hawai‘i and in showing that Hawai‘i is a value-for-money destination.”
The full HTA research report is available at: www.hawaiitourismauthority.org
