Moments of Aloha

Aloha Kakou:

Last Saturday, Outrigger Maui Eldorado was fortunate to have two entries in the Moments of Aloha section of the company's weekly newsletter, Saturday Briefing.

Way to go, Mary Ann and Tamara!

Please congratulate these two outstanding employees when you see them next.

http://saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com/uncategorized/moments-of-aloha-2/

Rate Recovery "Years Away"

Aloha Kakou:

We know that occupancy is up because rates are down. According to Joseph Toy, president and CEO of Hospitality Advisors LLC, while rates may begin to recover mid-2011, rates may not fully recover to pre-downturn levels until 2014.

http://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii/article3_ektid219682.aspx

Condo Tax Rate Bill Passes Initial Review

Aloha Kakou:

The Maui County Council passed 7-1 the initial reading of a bill that will require the Maui Eldorado AOAO to annually submit to the county Department of Finance a list of how each unit on the property is being used.

This bill was a compromise from an earlier version where the county council had proposed automatically charging condo owners based on highest and best use.

The bill is scheduled to be brought up for a final reading in September.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/539605/Council-OKs-revised-tax-rate-bill-for-condo-units.html?nav=10

And Now, The Maui Verse

Aloha Kakou:

Maui hotels showed an increase in occupancy for the first half of 2010 along with a decrease in rate.

Midpriced hotels had an ADR of $139 for the January through June period with a seven percentage point increase in occupancy to 62.8%.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/534680/Maui-hotel-occupancy-rates-up.html?nav=8

Same Story: Occupancy Up, Rates Down

Aloha Kakou:

Here's confirmation of what we already know: occupancy is up and rates are down.

The state's ADR for the first half of 2010 was $171.78, down 5.2% from 2009. Occupancy state-wide for January through June was 71.4%.

Mid-range properties continue to face pressure as upper tier hotel maintain lower rates and value-added offers.

http://www.hotelsmag.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx?item=18027

Maui Occupancy, Revenue Up Last Week

Aloha Kakou:

Maui experienced increases in both revenue and occupancy last week when compared to the same week a year ago.

Occupancy for the island was up 12.3% to 83.6%. The island's ADR was $254.20, up about 1% and the highest in the state.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2010/08/09/daily33.html

Kind Words For The Staff

Aloha Kakou:

Please take a moment to read the kind words of some recent Outrigger Maui Eldorado guests:

http://saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com/

Competitor's Rate Information

Aloha Kakou:

Just in case you're wondering what the neighbors are up to:

http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/hawaii/866473/?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email_top20

Visitor Numbers Projected To Increase

Aloha Kakou:

Carl Bonham, director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) said yesterday at a Hawaii Tourism Authority conference that Hawaii could have over 7 million visitors in 2011, a similar number to that of 2005.

He also said that he believes that Hawaii will end the year with 6% more visitors than last year, based on increased air lift to the state.

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2010_3rd/Aug10_HawaiiBiz.html

Travel Execs: Recovery Still Fragile

Aloha Kakou:

Travel company executives are still wary of a second recessionary dip.

Even a strong economy in certain markets may make news, lackluster results elsewhere are still a cause for concern.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/industries/airlines/stories/DN-airchiefs_10bus.ART.State.Edition1.293588b.html

More Air Seats To Hawaii In The Offing

Aloha Kakou:

Airlines are adding more seats from the mainland both this year and in 2011.

Many of those seats are coming as airlines expand into secondary markets such as Orange County, CA and Bellingham, WA.

Airlines are seeing consumers request Hawaii due to our apparent safety, given the violence many Americans associate now with Mexico and the Caribbean.

Hawaii is just exotic enough to appeal to travelers who still want a safe vacation. Plus, you don't have to change your money!

http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20100806_More_flights_coming.html

New Bill: AOAO To Report Condo Use To County

Aloha Kakou:

Condominium associations would report the uses of each condo in their properties to the county under a new bill passed last night by the Maui County Council.

That report would be used by the county's tax department to determine whether to open an investigation into the condo owner's property tax based on the owner's declared usage.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/534060.html?nav=10

New Directions For Maui Marketing

Aloha Kakou:

The Maui Visitor's Bureau (MVB) is planning a new media blitz with a new direction, as announced at the MVB's annual marketing meeting last Friday.

While "nobody expects the high-water mark of spending to return to 2007 form soon", MVB Executive Director Terryl Vencl said, increases in visitor arrivals means Maui's occupancy is slowly.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/533939.html?nav=10