For Immediate Release: May 3, 2005
DBEDT Release News 05-13

Note: March 2005 Visitor Research Data can be viewed here.

HONOLULU--Australia and China reported the largest increases in visitor arrivals to Hawaii among developing international markets (DIMS), according to preliminary 2004 statistics released today by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Developing international markets are categorized as Oceania, Europe, Other Asia and Latin America. Oceania is comprised of Australia and New Zealand; Europe consists of the United Kingdom, Germany, France Italy and Switzerland; Other Asia includes Korean, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore while Latin America consists of Mexico, Brazil and Argentina.

"Combined, these developing international markets accounted for 5.2 percent of total arrivals to the state in 2004," said State Tourism Liaison, Marsha Wienert. "These markets have performed well overall. Visitor arrivals are up for Oceania and Europe, while arrivals from 'Other Asia' markets are unchanged from 2003."

Arrivals from Oceania, the largest developing international market, climbed 38.2 percent compared to 2003 to 132,048 visitors. Australians, who comprised nearly 85 percent of the visitors from Oceania, posted a 44.4 percent increase in arrivals compared to the previous year. The number of visitors from New Zealand rose 10.6 percent. Contributing to the growth in arrivals was a 20.6 percent increase to air seat capacity in 2004. Among the flights added was a Hawaiian Airlines direct flight from Sydney to Honolulu.

Europe, the second largest developing international market, showed a 3.2 percent growth in arrivals to 114,678 visitors. Over half of the European visitors were from the United Kingdom. Arrivals from the U.K (+0.7%), France (+9.2%), Germany (+10.5%) and Italy (+8.5%) were higher compared to the previous year.

A total of 98,425 visitors from Other Asia came to the islands in 2004. Arrivals from China climbed 34.3 percent while visitors from Taiwan and Singapore also increased by 11.8 percent and .4 percent, respectively. These increases were partially offset by lower arrivals from Korea and Hong Kong, although Korea continued to be the leading producer of visitors, 38,390 visitors compared to China at 34,172 visitors. Half of the Chinese visitors entered Hawaii through domestic routes while the majority of Koreans arrived on international flights. Almost all European visitors arrived on domestic flights.

Arrivals from Latin America totaled 13,734 visitors, down 2.8 percent compared to 2003. Nearly 88 percent of these visitors were from Mexico and Brazil.

"Looking ahead, we are very optimistic that developing international markets will continue to bring a more diverse mix of visitors to Hawaii," said Wienert. "As the Lingle-Aiona Administration continues to work with all segments of the tourism industry to strengthen the economy and enhance the overall visitor experience, Hawaii should see continued growth from these emerging markets."

For more information, contact:
Marsha Wienert, Tourism Liaison
Phone: (808) 586-2362
Email: marsha.wienert@hawaii.gov

Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov