Maui hotel rooms were occupied at a rate of 75 percent in August, a 3.9 percent increase over the same month in 2011, Hospitality Advisors reported.
Boosted by average daily room rates of nearly $408 in Wailea, Maui rooms brought in a daily average of $263.35, the highest in the state and a nearly 4 percent growth compared to a year earlier, the consulting services company reported.
Hospitality Advisors said Maui's hotel occupancy growth was "due primarily to increases in arrivals from the U.S. West Coast (9 percent) and the U.S. East Coast (11.2 percent).
"In particular, the luxury resorts in Wailea enjoyed a strong August, with occupancy reaching 80.1 percent (up from 73.3 percent) and an average daily rate of $407.62," the report said. "Growth in high-yield market segments to Maui, including honeymoon; meetings, conventions and incentives (travelers); and independent travelers contributed to the gains in Wailea, as well as other high-end resorts located in Kaanapali and Kapalua."
Maui's revenue per available rooms in August was at $197.51, again the highest in the state and up from last year's $180.20. Wailea's revenue per available rooms was $326.50, up from $299.31 the year before.
Statewide, August hotel occupancy rose 4 percentage points to 81.3 percent, and average daily room rates for the state increased to an all-time high of $214.55 for a gain of 10.2 percent over last year, Hospitality Advisors reported. The state's revenue per available rooms figure was $174.43, up from $150.55.
"Pent-up demand, easing of visa restrictions and post-earthquake recovery in Japan arrivals led to a remarkable 2012 summer season, which set a new summer season record of $880.5 million in room revenue for the summer months of June through August," the report said. "When adding food and beverage, retail and other revenue sources, Hawaii's hotels generated over $1.3 billion in overall hotel revenues during the 2012 summer season."
Joseph Toy, president and chief executive officer for Hospitality Advisors, said Hawaii's recovery from the Great Recession has been "outstanding," given that "we were at the bottom of the market just 30 months ago."
"While the recovery has been driven by Oahu, we finally have started to see more strength in the Neighbor Islands, which we hope will continue into the first quarter of next year," he said.
Oahu led all islands with a 90 percent occupancy rate in August, up from 86.8 percent last year. Oahu's average
daily room rate was $196.96, up from $169.03, and its revenue per available room figure was $177.26, up from $146.72.
Hawaii island had the lowest occupancy rate in August at 65.6 percent, but that was up from 58.3 percent the year before. The Big Island's average room rate of $198.55 was second highest in the state, up from $194. Its revenue per available room was the lowest statewide at $130.25, but that was an increase from $113.10 a year earlier.
Kauai had an August occupancy rate of 73.9 percent, up from 71.8 percent. Its average daily rate was $226.11, up from $215.95, and its revenue per available room was $167.10, up from $155.05.
Hospitality Advisors said the increase in hotel revenue was consistent with a 14.6 percent increase in August visitor spending reported by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.
The consultant's hotel survey is compiled by Smith Travel Research. The August survey included 163 properties representing 48,771 rooms, or 85.6 percent of all lodging properties with 20 rooms or more statewide.
