Some West Hawaii hotels are having a merry holiday season and expecting a great new year. Some West Hawaii hotels are having a merry holiday season and expecting a great new year. ADVERTISING For the first time since 2007, the
Some West Hawaii hotels are having a merry holiday season and expecting a great new year.
For the first time since 2007, the 509-room Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa has completely sold out during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, said General Manager Steven Lindburg.
Bookings are also strong, indicating “everything is priced well and at a great value,” Lindburg said. The resort, located at Keauhou Bay, has seen “lots of good activity,” with reservations repeatedly being made 90 to 100 days in advance. January, February and March are typically good months at the Sheraton, and a 12 percent growth over the same time last year is anticipated, so long as the economy continues to improve, he said.
The strong holiday season at the resort and its positive outlook for early 2013 can be attributed to several factors. Lindburg said the resort underwent an extensive $20 million renovation that included significant enhancements to guest rooms, public areas and meeting rooms. Rays on the Bay, its oceanfront restaurant offering island-inspired meals and nightly entertainment, has been a huge success, he said. There’s a new team, spirit and sense of aloha, he added.
The Hilton Waikoloa Village is also experiencing robust activity this holiday season and into the beginning of next year. The Kohala Coast resort expects a spike in occupancy starting tomorrow and has a couple days sold out between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, which is common because of its reputation as “a great family-friendly vacation destination in Hawaii,” Marketing Communications Director Leanne Pletcher said. Another contributing factor is its holiday activities held over the past decade that repeat guests have grown to know and expect, such as the Santa tuck-in and annual New Year’s Eve party, said, she said.
The Hilton has also experienced a recovery in group sales, with bookings in January and February, as well as several group rebookings. Its sales team, advertising, particularly with online companies, and a strong social media presence has helped with the positive trend in occupancy, she said. The resort’s $15 million renovation, completed in August, to the 245 Lagoon Tower guest rooms and main lobby may have also attracted guests, Pletcher said.
In its fourth quarter 2012 economic report, released last month, the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism projected higher growth of visitor-related indicators and more optimistic growth of most other economic indicators in 2012. DBEDT expected positive economic growth in Hawaii for the rest of 2012 and expects to see continued positive growth in 2013.
“We remain cautiously optimistic with regard to the state’s immediate economic future,” DBEDT Director Richard Lim said in November. “Despite political uncertainties often inherent in election cycles and recent natural disasters, the visitor industry is projected to remain strong.”
Following a higher-than-expected growth in visitor arrivals in the first three quarters of 2012, DBEDT projected overall visitor arrivals would increase by 9.4 percent for 2012, 0.8 of a percentage point higher than its previous forecast. Arrivals statewide were forecast as nearly 8.0 million in 2012, 8.3 million in 2013, 8.5 million in 2014 and 8.7 million in 2015. Anticipated visitor expenditures are nearly $14.6 million, $15.3 million, $16.1 million and $17 million in the same time frame. Total visitor spending was projected to increase 18.8 percent in 2012, 3.6 percentage points above the previous forecast.
Big Island Visitors Bureau Executive Director George Applegate attributed the positive trends to successful promotions, better branding and consistent messaging about Hawaii Island and the state. He touted a collaboration that extends beyond tourism industry officials, wholesalers and travel partners, as well as includes the county government.
Also key are air carriers WestJest, Air Canada and Alaska Airlines. WestJet offers nonstop service from Canada to Kona four days a week and Air Canada has a flight one day a week while Alaska Airlines offers five routes with flights directly to Kona, Applegate said.
Hawaii Tourism Authority officials could not be reached for comment by press time.
