Though cruise-ship visitors spent over $100 each day they were on Kaua‘i last year, Nawiliwili was alone among the state’s ports in receiving fewer cruise-ship visitors last year than in 2002. That’s according to data released by officials with the
Though cruise-ship visitors spent over $100 each day they were on Kaua‘i last year, Nawiliwili was alone among the state’s ports in receiving fewer cruise-ship visitors last year than in 2002.
That’s according to data released by officials with the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
In 2002, the total number of cruise visitors to Kaua‘i was 226,152 while the number in 2003 was 213,229, a 5 percent decrease.
The biggest decrease was in Hawai’i residents traveling by cruise ship to Kaua‘i. In 2002, there were 6,647 resident cruise visitors to the island, a 15 percent increase over the 2003 total (5,654).
Visitor days by out-of-state cruise visitors rose 2.3 percent in 2003 compared to the previous year, according to DBEDT data.
However, numbers of out-of-state cruise visitors to Kaua‘i were down 5.2 percent from 2002, when 219,505 came via ship, compared to 208,123 in 2003.
“The negative numbers may have to do with either less passengers on the ships and/or port cancellations due to weather or other circumstances,” said Margy Parker, executive director of the Poipu Beach Resort Association.
“The one positive trend I see is a slightly expanded length of stay pre- or post-cruise.”
A total of 230,495 visitors came to Hawai‘i by air to board cruise ships, or came on cruise ships to tour the islands, in 2003.
These visitors sailed aboard 47 Hawai‘i-home-ported and out-of-state cruise ships, which made 125 tours around the state.
Visiting cruise-ship passengers to the state did stay longer, at 7.30 days, and daily visitor spending rose from $99 per person to $101 per person in 2003.
“We’re pleased that out-of-state cruise visitors are staying longer in the islands, and that their average daily spending last year increased,” said Tourism Liaison Marsha Wienert.
“The cruise industry continues to remain strong for Hawai‘i, and we’re particularly pleased that the benefits are spread throughout the state,” Wienert added, noting that at least 90 percent of all cruise-ship passengers in Hawai‘i visited Kaua‘i in 2003.
Cruise visitors in 2003 accounted for 3.6 percent of the state’s total visitors. More than 65 percent of the cruise visitors also stayed in hotels, 5 percent stayed in condominiums, and 4.2 percent stayed in timeshare properties before or after their cruises.
The average daily spending by out-of-state cruise visitors while on shore in Hawai‘i increased to $101 per person.
On Kaua‘i, total spending increased 10 percent, or by $5.67, from 2003 compared to 2002.
The biggest increase (189 percent) in daily cruise-visitor spending on Kaua‘i was in the Hawai‘i resident category. In 2003, Hawai‘i residents spent an average of $6.29 more per day than they did in 2002.
Visitors from the U.S. East, Canada, and Europe spent more in 2003 compared to those people from the same geographic areas who came in 2002.
The average daily spending by those from the U.S. East was the highest, $108 per person, followed by visitors from Europe ($104 per person), Canada ($98 per person), and the U.S. West ($87 per person).
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net.
