Hawaii business travel declines

There were fewer people coming to Hawaii for meetings and conventions in December.

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that 11,692 visitors traveled to Hawaii on business, down nearly 31 percent from 16,903 in December 2007. Of those, 3,844 were international visitors.

There were only three visitor segments to see gains in December: those on honeymoons, those traveling for government or military purposes and students.

The number of visitors to Hawaii for government or military purposes increased 15 percent in December, compared to 2007.

The department said that 6,767 visitors traveled by air to Hawaii for military or government affairs, up from 5,860 in December 2007. Of those, 2,809 were international visitors, up 333 percent from the 648 visitors in December 2007.

There were 32,063 visitors in Hawaii on their honeymoon, up 2 percent from 31,423 in December 2007. International visitors were up nearly 15 percent from 18,199 in December 2007 to 20,875 in December 2008.

And there were 2,109 visitors in Hawaii to attend school, up nearly 9 percent from 1,939 in December 2007. Of those, 1,565 were international visitors.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2009/01/26/daily53.html