Hawaii Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 07 October 2024

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

Overview

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 sharp 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 151.1% 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 156,041, indicating a steady recovery, although these figures were still slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

For the first half of 2024 (January to June), Hawaii recorded 4.7 million air arrivals, a 3.9% decrease from the same period in 2023, and 86,748 cruise visitors, a 7.2% increase from 2023.

How many people visited Hawaii in 2024?

From January to August 2024, Hawaii welcomed 6.4 million visitors, reflecting a strong appeal in tourism.
This total included 5.3 million domestic visitors and 1.09 million international tourists.

How many people visited Hawaii in 2023?

In 2023, Hawaii welcomed 9.6 million visitors, reflecting a strong recovery in tourism. With over 150,000 cruise visitors and 9.5 million air arrivals.

How much do visitors spend in Hawaii every year?

Visitors spend around $17 billion to $20 billion annually in Hawaii.²

In 2023, Hawaii international visitors spends a total of $20.66 billion.

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.

How much did visitors spend in Hawaii in 2023?

Visitor spending in Hawaii in 2023 reached $20.66 billion which surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 16%, showing a 10.9% increase compared to the $17.72 billion spent in 2019.

How much did visitors spend in Hawaii in 2022?

Visitor spending in Hawaii in 2022 reached $19.65 billion, which was a 49.6% increase from the $13.13 billion spent in 2021.
This spending also surpassed pre-pandemic levels, showing a 10.9% increase compared to the $17.72 billion spent in 2019.

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.

How much money does Hawaii make from tourism?

Hawaii’s tourism industry is a major economic driver, generating around $20.66 billion in visitor spending in 2023.

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

Tourism typically accounts for about 20% to 25% of Hawaii’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), making it a crucial part of the state’s economy.

Who visits Hawaii the most?

The majority of visitors to Hawaii come from the U.S. mainland, accounting for over 60% of total arrivals. Among international visitors, Japan, Canada, and Australia are the primary contributors.³

In 2023, Japan was the leading source of international visitors to Hawaii, with 573,000 tourists. Canada followed with 454,000 visitors. Other contributors included Australia with 187,000 visitors, Korea with 164,000 visitors, and China with 13,000 visitors.

How many days do visitors spend in Hawaii?

In 2023, visitors spent 9.86 days visiting the wonders of Hawaii.

Why do people visit Hawaii?

In 2023, people visited Hawaii for various reasons, including honeymoons, getting married, attending meetings or conventions, visiting friends and relatives, and family vacations.

Family Vacations (2,576,575 visitors)
Visiting Friends and Relatives (999,953 visitors)
Meetings, Conventions, and Incentives (401,207 visitors)
Honeymoons (361,093 visitors)
Getting Married (67,508 visitors)

Hawaii Travel Resources

Rental Prices

Car rentals in Hawaii

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RV rental costs

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One-way car rentals

Contintental United States:

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 is the best island to visit in Hawaii?

The 2023 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 2023, with 5.61 million visitors. Oahu is ideal for those seeking a mix of urban experiences and natural attractions, including Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.

Maui (2.49 million visitors) is known for its luxury resorts, scenic drives, and outdoor activities like visiting Haleakalā National Park.

Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), with 1.78 million visitors in 2023, 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 1.57 million visitors in 2023.

Kaua’i (1.42 million visitors) is a popular destination for those who love nature.

What are the other top destinations in Hawaii?

Hawaii is home to several popular destinations that attract millions of visitors each year:

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.