After a booming summer where tourism - and hotel rates - returned to pre-pandemic levels in full force, an August and early-September filled with new COVID-19 restrictions has set the stage for a deal-laden fall season.
While rates for traveling to Hawaii typically drop during the fall shoulder season, several additional factors will conspire to make this year particularly unique.
In August, the COVID-19 Delta variant created a surge of cases in Hawaii, prompting the government to once again limit social gatherings and indoor dining. That in itself was enough to curb travel demand, but Governor David Ige doubled down when he officially asked tourists not to come to Hawaii toward the end of the month.
“It is not a good time to travel to the islands,” Governor David Ige said on August 23rd. “I encourage everyone to restrict and curtail travel to Hawaii.”
In response, just this week, Oahu launched its “Safe Access Oahu” program that requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to eat out at restaurants or drink at bars, which are limited to 50% capacity.
It’s been about three weeks since Ige made that stern proclamation, and with all the media coverage surrounding the announcements of the new restrictions, we’re starting to see the effect it will have and what it will mean for rates and demand.
According to a new KHON2 report, hotel rates this fall will be even lower than usual, with demand trickling back down to where it was in the early days of the pandemic.
The hotel industry has seen a surge in cancellations and reduced demand in recent weeks, and experts say it won’t be hard to find a steal of a deal on hotel rooms between now and the holidays.
“Since the governor’s request for nonessential travel to halt, the industry has seen cancellations increase and occupancy cut nearly in half in some instances,” Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association President and CEO Mufi Hannemann said. “Some hotels have been forced to offer discounts in order to keep operating.”
Of course, the new restrictions have been put in place for a reason, so we encourage all potential travelers to consider the impact of their presence. However, travel is still open in Hawaii, and many travel industry leaders are anxiously awaiting business.
If you don’t have a problem following the new protocols on vaccination and testing, the price plunge could be an appealing reason to visit.
Case counts have been dropping in the last two weeks, but experts expect the hotel rates to remain low until the holiday season starts in late November and early December.
So, if cases continue to drop, responsible travelers could very well enjoy a trip to the islands this fall - one that will be reasonably safe with lesser crowds, and one that won’t break the bank.
