Do You Want To Buy A Hotel?

Aloha Kakou: The Kapalua Ritz Carlton goes on the block in May as the result of foreclosure. I don't know how much of a deal you could get with $263 million outstanding debt. http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/03/28/ritz-carlton-in-kapalua-to-be-sold-at.html

LA Examiner Mention

Aloha Kakou: Following is a mention of the Outrigger Maui Eldorado by a LA Examiner travel writer. This piece appeared in December, but feel free to forward the link. http://www.examiner.com/travel-diva-in-los-angeles/angelenos-left-their-hearts-on-the-best-beach-maui

Visitor Slowdown Possible

Aloha Kakou: State and local officials, as well as private travel companies, are concerned that the Japanese tragedies will mean fewer people traveling to Hawaii, both from the east and the west. The number of Japanese visitors will decline due to that country's current difficulties, as Japanese believe it is inappropriate to travel while their fellow countrymen are suffering. Visitors from the mainland could also decrease due to hysteria surrounding unfounded fears of potential radiation. http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20110330__Tragedy_takes_bite_of_isle_tourism.html http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42339972/ns/travel-destination_travel/ http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/547773/Japan-disasters-could-slow-tourism-rebound.html?nav=10

Visitors, Nights, Dollars Up In February

Aloha Kakou: According to documents released today, Hawaii visitors spent more than $1 billion in February, 2011, an amount that surpassed the $999.97 million in February, 2007. Maui's visitor expenditures were up more than 12% this February compared to last at $279.5 million. Visitor days increased by 9% and visitor arrivals increased 8.2%. http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/documents_upload_path/tr_documents/February%202011%20Visitor%20Stats%20PR%20(FINAL).pdf

Here They Go Again

Aloha Kakou: The Hawaii Attorney General is going after on-line travel agencies for what he considers unpaid hotel room tax. While the OTAs pay GET and TAT on the wholesale rate that we offer them, the AG is looking to recoup taxes on the retail rate that the guest pays to the OTAs. This has been tried before in Hawaii with the result being no additional taxes collected but a huge amount of frustration on the part of the travel community. States have not prevailed in other localities where this has been tried. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9M5NIO03.htm

Home Design Trends Migrating To Hotels

Aloha Kakou:

While not all of the design ideas in this article will work for Outrigger Maui Eldorado owners and guests (the bathtub in the bedroom idea, in particular!), this article has some interesting comments about guest preferences and trends in hotel rooms.

But I really like this quote: Manitoba Hotel Association president and CEO Jim Baker said keeping up on design is often a matter of survival. "Hotels have to invest in their future... or they'll be out of business," he said. "It's all about being inviting (to travellers)."

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/hotels-update-look-to-woo-travellers-118487549.html

Statewide Property Tax Rates

Aloha Kakou:

If you've wondered how Maui County property tax rates compare with the rest of the state, here's a chart showing all categories for each island.


RPT Rates All Islands - 2011