Hawaii Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 3 November 2025

Hawaii, known for its beautiful beaches, pleasant weather and aloha spirit, has consistently attracted millions of tourists annually from all corners of the globe.

How many people visit Hawaii each year? 

Around 9 to 10 million tourists visit Hawaii each year, with about 3 million being international visitors, mostly arriving by air.¹

• In 2020, the pandemic caused a decline in Hawaii’s tourism, with total visitor arrivals dropping by 73.8%, resulting in 2.7 million visitors.

• Visitor numbers in 2021 increased to 6.8 million air arrivals, representing a 151.9% recovery compared to 2020, but still below pre-pandemic figures. Data for cruise arrivals were not available.

• The recovery continued into 2022, with Hawaii recording 9.2 million air arrivals, including approximately 905,000 international visitors. Cruise arrivals were much lower, with 95,413 cruise visitors in 2022.

• By 2023, air arrivals increased to 9.5 million, while cruise visitors reached 157,612, indicating a steady recovery, although these figures were still slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

• Hawaii recorded 9.52 million air arrivals and 168,035 cruise visitors in 2024.

How many people visited Hawaii in 2025?

A total of 7.19 million visitors have arrived in the first nine months of 2025, up slightly (+0.53%) from 7.15 million visitors in the first nine months of 2024.

• This total included 6.01 million domestic visitors and 1.18 million international tourists.

Hawaii Visitor Arrival 2025
Months	Number of Visitors
January	773,149
February	739,692
March	890,010
April	810,276
May	766,377
June	855,732
July	870,795
August	806,776
September	674,860

How many people visited Hawaii in 2024?

• Hawaii welcomed 9.69 million visitors in 2024, with 168,035 cruise visitors and 9.52 million air arrivals.

How much do visitors spend in Hawaii every year?

Visitors spend around $17 billion to $20 billion annually in Hawaii.¹

• From 2017 to 2019, tourist spending in Hawaii consistently climbed, from $16.68 billion in 2017 to $17.72 billion in 2019.

• However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in tourism, with spending falling to $13.13 billion in 2021. Data for 2020 is not available due to the pandemic’s impact on travel.

• In 2022, tourism spending rebounded to $19.65 billion, and in 2023, it further increased to $20.66 billion.

• The total spending of $20.66 billion in 2023 set a new record for Hawaii, representing a 5.1% increase from 2022 and a 16.6% increase from 2019.

• Visitors spent $20.60 billion in 2024, a 0.3% decline from 2023 but 16.3% higher than 2019.

How much did visitors spend in Hawaii in 2024?

Visitor spending in Hawaii in 2024 reached $20.6 billion which surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 16.3%, showing a minimal decrease from 2023.

How much does it cost to visit Hawaii?

The average cost to visit Hawaii is about $393 per day per person, which includes accommodation, meals, local transportation, and activities. For a one-week trip, most travelers spend around $2,700 to $2,800 per person. 

• Costs can vary depending on the island, travel season, and accommodation type with Oahu and Maui generally being more expensive than the Big Island or Kauai. Budget travelers can manage with around $200 to $250 per day, while luxury travelers may spend over $600 per day. 

How much money does Hawaii make from tourism?

• Hawaii’s tourism industry is a major economic driver, generating around $20.6 billion in visitor spending in 2024. 

• This spending includes money spent on hotels, dining, shopping, and activities by visitors.

• Tourism typically accounts for about 23% to 24% of Hawaii’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it a crucial part of the state’s economy.

Who visits Hawaii the most?

In 2024, the majority of visitors to Hawaii came from the U.S. mainland, accounting for over 77% of total arrivals. Among international visitors, Japan, Canada, and Australia are the primary contributors²

• In 2024, Japan was the leading source of international visitors to Hawaii, with 720,488 tourists. Canada followed with 433,049 visitors. Other contributors included Australia with 165,002 visitors, Korea with 150,455 visitors, Europe with 91,110 visitors, and China with 51,579 visitors.
  

How many days do visitors spend in Hawaii?

• In 2024, visitors spent 8.7 days visiting the wonders of Hawaii. 
  

Impact of Coronavirus – Hawaii Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021

• In 2020, Hawaii experienced a sharp decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with only 2.7 million visitors, a 73.8% decrease from the 10.4 million visitors in 2019. Visitor spending also fell to approximately $6 billion, a 66.2% decrease from the $17.72 billion spent in 2019. 

• Most of the visitors in 2020 arrived by air (2.6 million visitors), while cruise tourism was almost nonexistent due to the pandemic’s impact on the industry.

• In 2021, Hawaii’s tourism sector began to recover, with 6.8 million visitors, representing a 151.9% increase from 2020 but still 34.6% below the 2019 level. Visitor spending rose to $13.13 billion, more than double the amount spent in 2020, reflecting a 118.8% increase. 

• Air arrivals increased to approximately 6.7 million, while cruise activity remained minimal. 

• Despite the improvement in tourism, both visitor numbers and spending were still below pre-pandemic levels.

Why do people visit Hawaii?

In 2024, people visited Hawaii for various reasons, including honeymoons, getting married, attending meetings or conventions, visiting friends and relatives, and family vacations.

• Family Vacations (2,409,338 visitors)
• Visiting Friends and Relatives (988,317 visitors)
• Meetings, Conventions, and Incentives (412,826 visitors)
• Honeymoons (336,950 visitors)
• Getting Married (66,375 visitors)

Hawaii Travel Resources

When is the best time to visit Hawaii?

The best time to visit Hawaii depends on what travellers are looking for in their vacation. 

Hawaii experiences mild weather year-round, making it a popular destination at any time. However, certain months offer more advantages in terms of cost, crowd size, and weather conditions.

• The best times to visit Hawaii for lower prices and fewer crowds are from mid-April to early June and from September to mid-December. These periods, known as the shoulder seasons, offer cheaper airfare, lower hotel rates, and fewer tourists. 

• The weather is warm year-round, but April to October generally sees less rain.

• Visitor numbers peak in June, July, and December, while February, April, and September have fewer tourists, making these ideal months for a quieter, more affordable trip.

What are the peak tourist months in Hawaii?

Visitor numbers peak in June, July, and December, while February, April, and September have fewer tourists, making these ideal months for a quieter, more affordable trip.

• In 2024, July recorded 925,935 visitors, while December closely followed with 910,055 visitors.

• June saw 872,620 visitors.

• March (855,537 visitors) and August (819,152 visitors) were the other two months with over 800,000 visitors.

How popular is Hawaii as a tourists destination?

Hawaii is one of the world’s most celebrated tourist destinations, consistently earning top rankings and prestigious awards for its natural beauty, hospitality, and travel experiences.

• In the 2025 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, Hawaii’s islands were ranked among the top destinations, with several resorts listed among the best in the world.

• The 2025 U.S. News & World Report ranked Maui as the #1 island in Hawaii, followed by the Big Island, Kauai, Oahu, and Lanai among the top six.

• The World Travel Awards 2025 named the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort as Hawaii’s Leading Resort.

• In the HAWAIʻI Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, Kauai was recognized as the “Best Island,” with numerous beaches, cities, and hotels receiving top honors.

• Hawaiian resorts and hotels also consistently appear in major hospitality rankings by leading travel publications, reinforcing Hawaii’s reputation as a premier global vacation destination.

What is the best island to visit in Hawaii?

The 2024 air visitor arrivals show that Oahu is the most popular island. However, the choice of the best island to visit in Hawaii depends on the visitor’s preferences, as each island offers different experiences.

• Oahu was the most visited island in 2024, with 5.81 million visitors. Oahu is ideal for those seeking a mix of urban experiences and natural attractions, including Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.

• Maui (2.38 million visitors) is known for its luxury resorts, scenic drives, and outdoor activities like visiting Haleakalā National Park.

• Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), with 1.73 million visitors in 2024, is perfect for those interested in diverse landscapes, including active volcanoes and black sand beaches.

• Kona (Part of Hawaii Island) is famous for its coffee plantations, clear waters, and excellent snorkelling and diving spots. The town attracted 1.52 million visitors in 2024.

• Kaua’i (1.37 million visitors) is a popular destination for those who love nature.

What are the other top destinations in Hawaii?

• Pearl Harbor: A historic site where visitors can explore the USS Arizona Memorial and learn about the events of the 1941 attack. It receives about 1.8 million visitors annually.

• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: Located on Hawaiʻi Island, this park allows visitors to see an active volcano. It attracts around 1.1 million visitors each year.

• Haleakalā National Park is known for its sunrises and volcanic landscapes and sees about 1 million visitors annually.

• Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is a major tourist hub with attractions like Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The city’s airport handles over 5.6 million arrivals each year.

• Waikiki Beach: Famous for its surf culture and views of Diamond Head Crater, Waikiki Beach draws about 4 million visitors annually

Hawaii Tourism Statistics

• Kauai Statistics
• Maui Statistics
• Oahu Statistics

USA Travel Statistics Resources

• Arizona Statistics (incl. Grand Canyon National Park)
• California Statistics (incl. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Universal Studios Hollywood)
• Florida Statistics (incl. Destin, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
• Illinois Statistics (incl. Chicago)
• Louisiana Statistics (incl. New Orleans)
• Massachusetts Statistics (incl. Boston)
• Nevada Statistics (incl. Las Vegas)
• New York Statistics (incl. New York City, Statue of Liberty)
• South Dakota Statistics (incl. Mount Rushmore)
• Tennessee Statistics (incl. Memphis, Nashville)
• Texas Statistics (incl. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
• Utah Statistics
• Washington Statistics (incl. Seattle)
• Yellowstone National Park Statistics

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References

1. HTA: Hawaii Monthly and Annual Visitor Research Report ↩︎
2. HTA: Hawaii Monthly and Annual Visitor Research Report – Expenditure ↩︎
3. HTA: Hawaii 2023 Monthly and Annual Visitor Research Report ↩︎