Despite the uncertain economic climate in the United States and projections that American and global travelers will change their behaviors, the head of the world's largest hotel chain remains bullish on Hawaii.

David Kong, president and chief executive of Best Western International, visited Honolulu last week to host the company's annual conference and to attend the grand opening of the Best Western Coconut Hotel; the chain's most recently branded property in Hawaii. Other Best Western-branded hotels in the islands include the Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, the Best Western Plantation Hale Suites in Kapaa, Kauai; the Best Western Maui Oceanfront Inn in Kihei, Maui, and the Best Western Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, Maui.

“;There are still lots of people that want to come to Hawaii,”; said Kong, who also serves as the secretary/treasurer of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and was appointed this year to serve on the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. “;It's a very special place; there is nothing like it in the world. It's not just the natural beauty, but the people themselves.”;

While occupancy and future bookings at many Hawaii hotels have fallen by double digits, Best Western's Hawaii properties are running about even with the prior year, Kong said.

“;They are performing quite well despite the downturn,”; he said. “;Best Western has always been known for quality and value, so during a downturn we are always more resilient.”;

Nationwide, Best Western's average daily room rates and RevPAR (revenue per available room) are running ahead of the prior year, Kong said. The company's average daily room rate is up around 7 percent and RevPAR is up by about 6 percent, he said.

Best Western's results seem to echo the findings of the most recent Travelhorizons survey released yesterday by the Travel Industry Association. The quarterly forecast, co-authored by TIA and YPartnership, is based on a travel-intention survey of 2,291 American adults that was conducted during the week of Oct. 13.

According to the survey, seven out of 10 respondents, or 71 percent, said that they still intended to take an overnight trip of 50 miles or more from home during the next six months. Nearly half of the respondents said that recent turmoil in the financial markets would not change their future travel plans.

Despite current economic conditions and lagging consumer confidence, the TIA said that travel volume is expected to drop by a scant 0.2 percent in 2008 and a modest 1.3 percent in 2009.

“;The results corroborate what we have been preaching now for several months: American travelers are trading down, but not out,”; said Dr. Peter Yesawich, chairman of Ypartnership.

“;People are still traveling, but it's all about value,”; Kong said.

Although leisure travel is stable, the Travelhorizons survey indicates that business travel is projected to decline as are international arrivals.

Business travel is expected to decline by 3.7 percent in 2008 and another 2.7 percent in 2009, according to TIA's annual travel forecast. Since more companies are scaling back on business travel, that market is not expected to begin recovery until 2010.

“;By no means is the sky falling,”; said Suzanne Cook,TIA senior vice president of research. “;After years of growth, we're now looking at modest declines.”;

However, moving into 2009, the U.S. and Hawaii will not be able to rely as heavily on international travel to make up for declines in domestic travel. Overseas travel to the U.S. is expected to decline 3 percent in 2009 and grow very modestly in 2010, according to TIA.

“;As the dollar gains strength and the global economy cools, the need to make America more attractive to international travelers grows,”; Cook said.

Hawaii's proximity and cultural closeness to Asia should make it an attractive option for the emerging Korea and Chinese markets once travel restrictions are fully eased, Kong said.