Aloha Kakou:
Two landmark Maui restaurants have gone out of business in the last week. Both Compadres at the Cannery Mall and Manana Garage in Kahului are the latest Maui businesses that have succumbed to the the current economic state.
For a take on how Maui business people saw yesterday's economic news, take a look at this article:
http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/509143.html?nav=10
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
August's Economic News
Aloha Kakou:
August's 20.9% decrease in visitor arrivals (as compared to 2007) was compounded by a drop in West Coast visitor spending by 7.3%. Put plainly, we have fewer visitors who are spending less money while they're here.
Maui's decline of almost 21% in visitor arrivals isn't that bad when you compare it to the other islands: the Big Island had a visitor count decrease of 22.9% and Kauai had decrease of 25 percent.
The economic slowdown here is palpable. There are fewer diners in restaurants, and in many cases you no longer need reservations. Cruise down Front Street and you have your choice of parking spaces. You can breeze in and out of Costco and Walmart in record time; last night, Walmart's parking lot looked like were closed, it was that empty. Traffic on Honoapiilani Highway is far lighter than usual with plenty of wide open lanes on my drive home.
It's all just speculation on the duration of this downturn. My crystal ball isn't any clearer than anyone else's. I'd like to think that we just have to weather the storm until Christmas and then optimism will return, and then I look at today's stock market results and start to think that perhaps it is me who is being optimistic.
If you haven't seen it, here are the details from last Saturday's Maui News:
http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/509024.html?nav=10
Friday, September 26, 2008
Further Hotel Rating Comments
Aloha Kakou:
Continuing our discussion of hotel ratings, their meaning and veracity, the below article from independenttraveler.com gives good perspective between OTA (on-line travel agencies, like Expedia and Orbitz) rating systems and ratings by actual travellers on sites like tripadvisor.com.
The article gives the examples of two different hotels, one of which has a higher aggregate rating from the OTAs than it does from the travellers and the other with higher traveler ratings than those given by the OTAs.
Some lessons to be learned are:
1. Do not assume that 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars, diamonds or widgets mean the same thing between different rating systems - the best thing to do is to find the key to the ratings so you know how each property is actually being rated. OTA rating systems, for example, bear little resemblance to those used by Mobile or AAA, even though they all use a 1 to 5 scale.
2. Comments and reviews made by independent travelers are just that - independent. They bear no relation to anything except that particular person's experiences and expectations. The best way to judge these comments is to look for a theme among the comments for the same property. If ten out of twelve reviews mention the nearby train tracks, for example, you can be pretty sure that it is an issue for that property. Conversely, if one review mentions the crabby front desk staff and the other eleven either don't make mention or comment in glowing terms, you can be pretty sure who was really crabby that day. Also, some sites such as tripadvisor.com let you see all of the reviews of a particular reviewer, so you can get some idea as to that reviewer's actual frame of mind - if all of their reviews are rating properties as 5 star, they're either easily impressed, not very particular or very fortunate!
http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=629&category=13
Continuing our discussion of hotel ratings, their meaning and veracity, the below article from independenttraveler.com gives good perspective between OTA (on-line travel agencies, like Expedia and Orbitz) rating systems and ratings by actual travellers on sites like tripadvisor.com.
The article gives the examples of two different hotels, one of which has a higher aggregate rating from the OTAs than it does from the travellers and the other with higher traveler ratings than those given by the OTAs.
Some lessons to be learned are:
1. Do not assume that 1, 2, 3 or 4 stars, diamonds or widgets mean the same thing between different rating systems - the best thing to do is to find the key to the ratings so you know how each property is actually being rated. OTA rating systems, for example, bear little resemblance to those used by Mobile or AAA, even though they all use a 1 to 5 scale.
2. Comments and reviews made by independent travelers are just that - independent. They bear no relation to anything except that particular person's experiences and expectations. The best way to judge these comments is to look for a theme among the comments for the same property. If ten out of twelve reviews mention the nearby train tracks, for example, you can be pretty sure that it is an issue for that property. Conversely, if one review mentions the crabby front desk staff and the other eleven either don't make mention or comment in glowing terms, you can be pretty sure who was really crabby that day. Also, some sites such as tripadvisor.com let you see all of the reviews of a particular reviewer, so you can get some idea as to that reviewer's actual frame of mind - if all of their reviews are rating properties as 5 star, they're either easily impressed, not very particular or very fortunate!
http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=629&category=13
Thursday, September 25, 2008
How Long Can You Wait?
Aloha Kakou:
With August's projected number of tourism arrivals to be about 14% below last year, and layoffs and cutbacks in most employment sectors, some local economists still believe that, all thing considered, Hawaii's economy may not be that bad. According to this article in today's Advertiser, ... (Leroy Laney, a professor of economics and finance at Hawai'i Pacific University) said people shouldn't despair since Hawai'i's economic cycles usually involve short downturns and longer expansionary periods.
"Good times will return again. It's not like we've permanently fallen off of a cliff," he said. The rebound may come in 2010 or 2011.
"All you can do is just hang on and know that eventually good times will return."
Sometimes, especially when things look bad, it is difficult to remember that the economy is cyclical and things will turn around. It's just a matter of how long you can (or want to!) wait.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/NEWS01/809250381/1001
With August's projected number of tourism arrivals to be about 14% below last year, and layoffs and cutbacks in most employment sectors, some local economists still believe that, all thing considered, Hawaii's economy may not be that bad. According to this article in today's Advertiser, ... (Leroy Laney, a professor of economics and finance at Hawai'i Pacific University) said people shouldn't despair since Hawai'i's economic cycles usually involve short downturns and longer expansionary periods.
"Good times will return again. It's not like we've permanently fallen off of a cliff," he said. The rebound may come in 2010 or 2011.
"All you can do is just hang on and know that eventually good times will return."
Sometimes, especially when things look bad, it is difficult to remember that the economy is cyclical and things will turn around. It's just a matter of how long you can (or want to!) wait.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/NEWS01/809250381/1001
Monday, September 22, 2008
More Outrigger Maui Eldorado Promotions
Aloha Kakou:
As I have previously mentioned, Outrigger is always looking for ways to promote the Outrigger Maui Eldorado. These days, marketing is even more important than before as the same number of businesses chase fewer potential clients. Listed below are two opportunities recently offered by our wholesale partners.
The following was sent in an email blast by American Airlines to their frequent fliers:http://www.aavacations.com/specials/haw0833-maui-hotels.asp?ADID=AAVA-DNV-HA
Americantours, in partnership with CAA, the Canadian Automobile Association, is offering the following deals to their members:
http://aaa.americantours.com/ht_detail.php?hotel_code=OGGMEK
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Star/Diamond Ratings - What Do They Really Mean?
Aloha Kakou:
There is much talk these days about hotel ratings. Everyone has their own ideas of what constitutes adequate lodging and what makes a hotel worth the money. Most people believe they can tell a five-star quality property just by their observations of the architecture and the decor, but there is much more to it than that. Travelers also believe a one-star property is substandard, dirty and dangerous but, according to AAA's rating system, that is far from the case. It seems every on-line travel agency has their own criteria, thus further blurring the lines and creating the inferior/superior impressions amongst guests.
Here is AAA's quick definition of the what their diamond ratings mean:
One Diamond: These establishments typically appeal to the budget-minded traveler. They provide essential, no-frills accommodations. They meet the basic requirements pertaining to comfort, cleanliness, and hospitality.
Two Diamond: These establishments appeal to the traveler seeking more than the basic accommodations. There are modest enhancements to the overall physical attributes, design elements, and amenities of the facility typically at a moderate price.
Three Diamond: These establishments appeal to the traveler with comprehensive needs. Properties are multifaceted with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided.
Four Diamond: These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.
Five Diamond: These establishments reflect the characteristics of the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Accommodations are first class. The physical attributes are extraordinary in every manner. The fundamental hallmarks at this level are to meticulously serve and exceed all guest expectations while maintaining an impeccable standard of excellence. Many personalized services and amenities enhance an unmatched level of comfort.
OK, so where do you think that the Maui Eldorado lies on AAA's rating scale? I'd like to hear what you think and why.
There is much talk these days about hotel ratings. Everyone has their own ideas of what constitutes adequate lodging and what makes a hotel worth the money. Most people believe they can tell a five-star quality property just by their observations of the architecture and the decor, but there is much more to it than that. Travelers also believe a one-star property is substandard, dirty and dangerous but, according to AAA's rating system, that is far from the case. It seems every on-line travel agency has their own criteria, thus further blurring the lines and creating the inferior/superior impressions amongst guests.
Here is AAA's quick definition of the what their diamond ratings mean:
One Diamond: These establishments typically appeal to the budget-minded traveler. They provide essential, no-frills accommodations. They meet the basic requirements pertaining to comfort, cleanliness, and hospitality.
Two Diamond: These establishments appeal to the traveler seeking more than the basic accommodations. There are modest enhancements to the overall physical attributes, design elements, and amenities of the facility typically at a moderate price.
Three Diamond: These establishments appeal to the traveler with comprehensive needs. Properties are multifaceted with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided.
Four Diamond: These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.
Five Diamond: These establishments reflect the characteristics of the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Accommodations are first class. The physical attributes are extraordinary in every manner. The fundamental hallmarks at this level are to meticulously serve and exceed all guest expectations while maintaining an impeccable standard of excellence. Many personalized services and amenities enhance an unmatched level of comfort.
OK, so where do you think that the Maui Eldorado lies on AAA's rating scale? I'd like to hear what you think and why.
In case you'd like more detailed information, here's a link to AAA's document explaining their rating criteria:
http://www.aaa.biz/Approved/files/diamond_guidelines_lodging_2.pdf
The Best Aloha Attire You've Never Heard of
Aloha Kakou:
There are the usual suspects when you want to buy an Aloha shirt: Tory Richard, Ren Spooner and, if you stretch the definition, Tommy Bahama. But there is a small company in Hilo that may change your mind about your label of preference.
While Sig Zane's store and workshop are in Hilo, his website is the only source outside of his store for his work. On the right, I've added a link to his site.
All of Sig's line incorporate Hawaiian plants that have cultural significance to Hawaiians. He is something of a Hawaiian renaissance man, being a fisherman, surfer, dancer, artist and cultural practitioner. First Sig mad pareus for his wife, Nalani, then began making pareus and T-shirts for his friends and his hula family, using images that had a cultural significance and deep meaning. Before long, Sig's images of taro, hala, 'ie'ie, kukui, and other plants valued by the Hawaiians had become a Hawaii signature.
While Sig has recently designed the new uniforms for the Outrigger Hotel properties, his retail designs are very distinct and very Hawaiian. Once you are in the know, you can always tell a Sig Zane design.
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