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Japanese tourist arrivals fell more than 8 percent in September as compared to a year earlier, but an increase in visitors from the mainland more than made up for the loss. Japanese visitor count
drops, but overall
arrivals rise 1.5%By Russ Lynch
Star-BulletinThe result was an overall increase of 1.5 percent, according to the monthly report from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Overall arrivals from all sources in September totaled 536,488, up from 528,769 in September 1999.
Japanese tourists totaled 160,032 last month, down 8.1 percent from 174,181 in the previous September. Their visits were shorter, as well: DBEDT said the average length of stay among Japanese travelers dropped 9 percent to 5.34 days from 5.86 days.
Japan Airlines confirmed that business was down last month. But Gilbert Kimura, a Honolulu spokesman for the airline, said it is not unusual for September to be slow, and business looks good for the rest of the year.
Mainland business was up 3 percent, with U.S. arrivals totaling 328,897 last month, compared to 317,458 in the previous September. But their length of stay declined 1 percent to an average of 9.5 days from 9.6 a year earlier.
Year-to-date figures were running well ahead of last year, with 5.3 million total arrivals from all sources through the first nine months of this year. That figure is up 3.9 percent from 5.1 million for the equivalent period last year.
"With very good results from the first three quarters, we are still on track for a record year," said Seiji Naya, DBEDT director.
Despite the decline from Japan, Hawaii had some 8,000 more visitors last month than came in the previous September, and that was an important indicator of strength in the visitor industry, Naya said.
Oahu had a 1.8 percent decline in September arrivals, mainly because of the loss of Japanese business. The Big Island showed a 1.7 percent decline in tourists and Molokai was down 2.5 percent.
However, Maui tourist traffic was up 4.7 percent from the previous September, Kauai was up 0.6 percent and Lanai arrivals were up 10 percent.
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism