More Airline Seats Available

Aloha Kakou:

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) expects and increase of 5.1% in the number of airline seats available to Hawaii from April through June of 2010 compared to a year ago.

That percentage increase amounts to an additional 2.3 million seats.

Maui's share is up 13.8%.

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/03/29/daily11.html

February Visitors Up, Spending Flat

Aloha Kakou:

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) today released February's visitor industry numbers. While statewide visitor expenditures remained flat compared to 2009, the number of visitors to Maui who came by air increased this year by 7.2%. The HTA attributes the increase in Maui's visitors to the additional direct flights into Kahului airport. Please see the press release for more detailed numbers.


February 2010 Visitor Stats News Release (Final)

Where Was This?

Aloha Kakou:

We get mentioned in the strangest places. I've never heard of this site, but I'll take any notices I can get!

http://buy247.co.cc/anyone-been-to-hawaii-for-their-honeymoon-can-u-recommend-some-nice-hotel-where-can-i-get-cheap-tickets.html

Outrigger Maui Eldorado Blog Mention

Aloha Kakou:

Outrigger Maui Eldorado, as mentioned on Angela Schrenk's Aspire2Travel blog:

http://bit.ly/9ZNKaT

Her rate, including air and hotel from Phoenix to Maui is $2541.20 for two people.

Appealing Your Tax Assessment

Aloha Kakou:


In the Letters to the Editor section of today's Maui News is an opinion by Bruce Faulkner, president of the Realtors Association of Maui. His op-ed piece is regarding appealing your property tax assessment and he includes a paragraph regarding leasehold apartments:


"Another stumbling block involves leasehold apartments. Because the leasehold apartment owner does not have a fee-simple interest in the ground under the apartment, the market value of a leasehold apartment is often considerably less than similar fee-simple apartments. But the law does not recognize the difference when it comes to property taxes. Leasehold properties are taxed as if they are fee simple. We often hear leasehold apartment owners complain that is not fair. It may not be but it is how the tax code is written and appeals based on leasehold values not being equal to fee simple do not succeed."


http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/529920.html?nav=18

"Recovery Has Begun"

Aloha Kakou:

The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) says that Hawaii's economic recovery has begun, according to a report the group released today.

UHERO is projecting a 2.9% visitor increase for 2010 compared to 2009.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/529904.html?nav=10

Rates Down, Occupancy Up

Aloha Kakou:

Hotel room occupancy on Maui increased to 76.4% for the week ending March 20th.

Revenue, however, is a different story, falling 14% from the same period a year ago to $221.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/03/22/daily29.html?s=industry&i=travel

Responses Key To Reviews

Aloha Kakou:

Guests won't always let you know about their experience here at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado. Sometimes, they'd rather keep quiet until they post a review on TripAdvisor.com or a similar website.

While I have been reading these reviews for quite a while, it is only this year that I have begun to respond which is somewhat rare, according to this article.

Negative reviews can help improve the property, but only if we are willing to take the time to understand that the guest is giving us constructive criticism.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2010-03-23-businesstravel23_ST_N.htm

More On Allegiant Air

Aloha Kakou:

Allegiant Air has announced their intentions to fly from the mainland to Hawaii but routes have yet to be established as the budget airline waits for Federal Aviation Administration approval.

Allegient, which generally flies MD80 aircraft, is acquiring six 757-200s to fly the over water routes.

A low frills carrier like Allegient may help to bring down airfares to Hawaii, at least on routes where they compete with legacy carriers like United, American and Hawaiian airlines.


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100318/BUSINESS02/3180316/Allegiant+touts+diversity

Captain's Travel Adds Outrigger Maui Eldorado

Aloha Kakou:

The Outrigger Maui Eldorado has just been added to Captain's Travel website:

http://www.captainstravel.com/d/9092740_8499.htm

May I Please Have Juse A Few More Shampoos?

Aloha Kakou:

Christopher Elliott, one of my favorite travel columnists, today published an article asking what is a hotel amenity and what isn't. I think we can all pretty much agree that any toiletry item like soap or shampoo, once opened, is fair game. But what about multiples of those? And how many is too many? Are bibles fair game? Pens? Towels? Dishes? Pillows? Take a look at his article and the comments - it's interesting to see what people think is fair game!

For the record, small things that have the hotel name like pens, pads and card keys are, to my mind, acceptable items to take as souveniers (it's a good thing we don't have bathrobes with our logo!).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35840385/ns/travel-tips/

"Maui Is A Great Value"

Aloha Kakou:

Maui's January occupancy rate increased by almost 8% when compared to January, 2009.

Islandwide, Maui average hotel rates are down from $276 per night last January to $229 this year.

"I just don't see any signs that room rates are going to go back up to what they were," Terryl Vencl, Maui Visitor's Bureau Executive Director, said.

Maui will continue to be a bargain as room rates stay low; "That's the message," she said.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/529381.html?nav=10

Occupancy Up, Rates Down

Aloha Kakou:

Hospitality Advisors, an independent consulting firm to Hawaii's tourist industry, said the state's hotel occupancy rose in January, but rates continue to decline.

"Unfortunately, the gains in occupancy are being offset by the continued heavy discounting in room rates," Hospitality Advisors' Joseph Toy said.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100310/BUSINESS/3100326/Island+hotel+occupancy+rates+jump++4th+time+in+5+months

TripAdvisor Reviews - Real Or Imaginary?

Aloha Kakou:

Some time ago, I had discussed the accuracy of reviews on sites like TripAdvisor.com, where people can leave what amount to anonymous reviews, saying whatever they like.

Some hotels actually solicit these reviews and some of the less scrupulous advise guests what to say.

While I have considered asking guests to post a review to TripAdvisor.com (in their own words, after they've checked out, of course!), I am still of a mind to believe there is something at least slightly tawdry about this practice. What do you think?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2011289056_webtroubleshooter08.html

Allegient Air To Add Service To Hawaii

Aloha Kakou:

Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas based air carrier, is planning on adding service from West Coast cities to Hawaii when it purchases six Boeing 757-200's.

While routes and timetables have yet to be determined, the airline will begin by purchasing two of the planes from a European carrier this spring and then retrofitting them for service to Hawaii.


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100306/NEWS09/3060345/Hawaii+will+be+newest+destination+for+budget+airline+Allegiant

ALGT News 2010-3-5 General

HI Cruise Prices Rise

Aloha Kakou:

Norwegian Cruise Lines plans to increase prices 7% based on stronger booking demand during January and February.

http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20100305_Wave_of_demand_raises_Hawaii_cruise_prices.html

Kaanapali Beach One Of Five Best

Aloha Kakou:



Kaanapali Beach was named as one of the five best beaches in the world, according to Better Living, an online video magazine featuring the best in travel, food and home.

http://www.betterlivingny.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=129

Worldwide Hotel Rates Down 14%

Aloha Kakou:

Around the world, hotel rates declined 14% in 2009 from their 2008 levels. The bulk of the decline was seen at the beginning of 2009, however, with rate dropping tapering off toward the end of the year.

"Despite some possible first signs of hotel prices recovering in Europe and the U.S. in the last quarter of 2009, the promotions and great value look set to continue for some time yet," said David Roche, president of Hotels.com.

"We have seen some stabilization but we will still see prices more in favor of the traveler rather than the hotelier," said Nigel Pocklington, global marketing director for Hotels.com in London.

http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/uLrYcWuDoMzrppqkajbHyyigDi?format=standard

Maui Visitors, Spending Up In January

Aloha Kakou:

In January, both visitor arrivals and visitor spending increased for the first time in more than two years.

The number of Maui visitors was up 2.4% compared to January, 2009.

Maui visitor spending increased 3.2%, with average visitor spending of $178.80 per day.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/529017.html?nav=10