TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Takashi Ichikura, director of Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ), expressed his desire for strong recovery of tourism to Hawaii in 2010 at the recent trade seminar hosted by HTJ, saying, “Japanese travel industry aims to attain a 7.4 percent growth to bring the outbound travelers back to 16.6 million this year. We, as destination Hawaii, want to cooperate for the recovery by achieving a growth of more than 7.4 percent.” It is estimated that Hawaii had 1,117,159 visitors from Japan last year, down 4.9 percent from the previous year; therefore, a 7.4 percent growth on top of the figure means 1.2 million.

One of the contributing factors to be expected is the increased seat supply from airlines. Total capacity offer in 2009 was 1,597,326 seats, down 0.5 percent year on year, with average load factor at 70 percent, which leaves enough space to carry more passengers. Moreover, it is foreseen that Delta Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and Korean Air will put larger aircrafts into service. Ichikura made a comment on this, “Business class seats would multiply by switching the aircrafts to a bigger size. I wish travel agencies could send customers in a proportionate way in terms of tour price and the number of visitors.” Regarding local consumption of Japanese travelers in 2009, spending on accommodation dipped 15 percent, but it was probably because, as he pointed out, hotels offered promotional rates to beat the depressed market. The situation is becoming favorable for travelers to go to Hawaii, partly aided by appreciated yen rate, he added.

HTJ has wedding couples, three-generation families, and active seniors in view as targeted segments in the market, but single women in their thirties and forties and educational tour participants also come into scope as growing segments. Educational tours are a non-negligible segment as 11,000 students from 80 schools visit Hawaii every year. HTJ puts more focus than ever on this segment as they expect more students to come to Hawaii in an aging society with fewer children. Meanwhile, it carries on the marketing tagline “My Anniversary Hawaii” to this year, and works with photographer Junji Takasago in the photo album of Hawaii’s 50 Best Selection. His original pictures will be made into advertising posters for visual display at retail stores and into shell folders for travel agencies’ tour literature. Ichikura said, “Popularity of Hawaii has not waned in the least among consumers. Efforts should be made so that their interest is materialized into real bookings.” He pledged HTJ’s unstinting assistance for this purpose.

At the seminar, Keiko T. Fujita, who serves in Honolulu as Hawaii Project Coordinator for HTJ, provided the latest local information in the speech titled “Diversity and Evolution.” She talked about new attractions and activities, making reference to varieties of tours associated with fula dance, a visit to Waianalo Farm (in the northeastern part of Oahu), and a drive to Tantalus and its way back on the downhill.

Source: Travel Vision

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