The average occupancy rate for Hawaii's hotels plunged by 10 percentage points in December, to below 61 percent, the lowest level since just after the September 2001 terrorist attacks. Some resorts are reporting occupancy as low as 58%.
The figures, while disappointing, are not surprising due to the economic decline in the United States and in Asia. Hawaii lost Aloha airlines, ATA Airlines and two cruise lines in 2008, battering the Hawaii economy.
Joseph Toy, president and CEO of Hospitality Advisors, says though last year began strongly, the bottom dropped out of the market in the third and fourth quarters. He says he's never seen such a steep decline before in nearly 25 years of analyzing hotel occupancy data.
Still, Hawaii ranked fifth highest among major destinations in occupancy for U.S. desintations behind New York City, San Francisco, Miami and Los Angeles.
Hotels, resorts and Hawaii vacation rental owners needing rental income are offering the lowest rates since 2001, including free nights and other incentives just to attract travelers. "Now is a great time to take that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii because everything from airfare, car rentals and Hawaii accommodations is discounted to attract visitors," states travel expert and DestinationVillas.com editor, Tori Milan. "For many people wanting to travel 2009 will be the year of the deal."
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Destination Villas, a leader in the vacation rental market, offers a directory of premium properties to make it easy to find vacation rentals. Each listed property offers photos, descriptions, online request forms, rate calculators, resort information, amenities, last minute deals and an ever-growing library of articles featuring local attractions and destination guides. Destination Villas allows travelers to bypass travel agents, managers, hotel chains and middlemen and rent directly from homeowners who have properties in world-class resorts and famous destinations. Save up to 70% on vacation rental vacations from Destination Villas. Vacation rental owners can list vacation rental property for free. Travelers search for properties for free.
