As reported by the Maui News, an Associated Press article recently announced that Hawaii tourism officials say a growing Hawaii timeshare industry will help break the state’s visitor record again this year. The Hawaii Tourism Authority data shows that Hawaii timeshares were up 4.9% for the first 3 months of this year.
Hokulani Waikiki
Maui timeshares, Kauai timeshares and Oahu timeshares are contributing to what is being predicted as another record year for total visitor arrivals. Carl Bonham, Executive Director at the University of Hawaii economic research organization stated “total visitor arrivals hit a record in 2014 and we’ll hit another one in 2015”. With Oahu hotel room rates having risen by double digits, Bonham feels that might be influencing the shift in tourist behavior towards Hawaii timeshares.
While hotel usage hasn’t dropped, Tourism Authority Director Daniel Nahoopii said the increase in usage of Maui timeshares, Kauai timeshares and Oahu timeshares reflects “that more people are coming, and they are staying in other accommodations like vacation rentals, condominiums and timeshares.”
Howard Nusbaum, President and CEO of The American Resort Development Association which represents the timeshare industry, states, “Hawaii is the most sought-after timeshare destination, with nearly $1 billion in sales” and went on to say “At 85.2 percent you’ve also got the highest timeshare occupancy in the U.S.”
Legislators are considering adopting a two-year, 2 percent increase in the transient occupancy tax. If it passes, ARDA Executive Director Blake Oshiro says it isn’t likely to impact the Hawaii timeshare industry’s growth.
“It’s small, so most owners probably won’t even notice the increase,” he said.
Syed Sarmad, Principal Broker for Advantage Vacation
