Occupancy indicates
strong summerJuly visitors push all islands
except Molokai to make
gains over 2002
Oahu posted its first occupancy increase in three months during July, helping to boost the state's overall occupancy rate by 3.9 percentage points to 81.15 percent, according to a survey released yesterday.
The increase in booked rooms at hotels and resort condominiums was attributable to continued growth in U.S. mainland travelers, a trend that started after 9/11, according to the monthly report from PKF-Hawaii LLP.
Revenue per available room, a key financial indicator, rose 6.8 percent to $123.30 in July.
"Encouraging signs of a tourism rebound is indicated with every island (with the exception of Molokai) reporting strong hotel occupancy increases over the prior year," PKF Chief Executive Officer Ernest Watari said. "Of great significance is the island of Oahu, showing its first occupancy increase in three months."
Occupancy on Oahu rose to 80.3 percent from 78.2 percent in July 2002.
While significant because of Waikiki's concentration of hotel rooms, Oahu's increase was the lowest of any island, except Molokai, where occupancy fell 3.9 percentage points to 47.6 percent. Maui led the way, with occupancy rising 6.9 percentage points to 86.6 percent.
"The resurgence has been driven primarily by the strong westbound market from the U.S. mainland as airline seats have been solidly booked," Watari said. "Preliminary indications point to another increase for the month of August, thus potentially making this the best summer since 2000."
Early figures for July show domestic visitor arrivals to Hawaii 4.9 percent ahead of 2002, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Hotels were slightly less occupied, at 80.86 percent, than resort condominiums, which averaged 82.49 percent full.
Statewide, the average daily room rate inched up 1.68 percent to $151.95 from $149.44 a year earlier. Maui continues to be the most expensive island, with hotel rooms averaging $243.84 a night and resort condominiums $170.16.
For the year to date, overall statewide occupancy grew 0.6 percentage points to 74.20 percent. Revenue per available room rose to $112.23 from $107.27.
