| Aloha kākou,
Last month, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) released its April 2026 visitor statistics report. It shows that total visitor expenditures increased by 4.8% over April 2025, and per-person-per-day spending increased by 14.1% over the same period. It also shows that the average length of stay declined from 8.33 days to 7.69 days. Taken together, these numbers suggest visitors are making more deliberate decisions about how they spend their time and money.
The report also shows continued growth in several key segments. Visitor arrivals from the U.S. East increased 16.3%, arrivals from Japan increased 6% and cruise arrivals increased 20.4% year over year, helping to diversify Hawai‘i’s visitor mix.
The continued strength of visitor spending amid rising costs reinforces what we’ve known for a long time: Hawai‘i’s greatest competitive advantage is not price—it’s the experience. The culture, people and places that make these islands unique continue to draw visitors from around the world.
Building on that foundation, this summer, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will release our new five-year Strategic Plan, which focuses on the fundamentals: strengthening Hawai‘i’s competitiveness, enhancing visitor experiences, and delivering greater value for residents and communities. We will also release updated Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs) for each island, developed with community input to guide tourism in line with community priorities. At the same time, we continue to support the state’s recovery by driving demand and supporting local businesses.
Mahalo for your partnership in helping ensure tourism continues to create value for Hawai‘i’s residents and visitors alike.
Mahalo,
Caroline Anderson
Interim President & CEO
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority |
