Why is Hawaii so popular? Do we really have to ask? What other destination offers such a variety of gorgeous beaches, heavenly scenery and wide variety of activities? Where else is it more conducive to bringing the entire family on vacation, where you still might find a secluded beach all to yourself, and where you can feel right at home, but still enjoy a culture quite different from your own? And it's all pretty easy to get to for most of us.
Timeshare Helps Break Hawaii’s 2015 Visitor Record
"Total visitor arrivals hit a record in 2014, and we'll hit another in 2015,” announced Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii economic research organization. He spoke at a recent Chamber of Commerce Hawaii event that explored a new wave of timeshare customers. In the fourth quarter 2014, Hawaii greeted 182,284 visitors—a 4.4 percent increase in timeshare visitors above the same period in 2013. Other data showed that Oahu hotel room rates have risen by double digits, possibly influencing the shift in tourist behavior to timeshare and vacation rentals. Repeat travelers are exploring alternative places to stay.
Hawaii Tourism Authority data shows timeshares were up 4.9 percent for the first three months of the year. It's no surprise to those of us in the timeshare industry. A timeshare resort is the perfect place to stay in Hawaii. Condominiums offer lots of room for families to spread out in, extra bedrooms and baths, kitchens to use to save money on meals, onsite activities and prime locations, often beachfront with ocean views.
Timeshare supports the economy of the people and communities of Hawaii. President and CEO of ARDA, Howard Nusbaum reports, "Timeshare generates 4,000 jobs, $100 million in wages, and $67 million in tax revenue annually in Hawaii". He added, "Hawaii is the most sought-after timeshare destination, with nearly $1 billion in sales. At 85.2 percent you’ve got the highest timeshare occupancy in the U.S".
A Few of the Major Developers
Marriott is one of the major timeshare/vacation club developers in Hawaii according to a recent report released by Sharket.com, a free website that supplies data for the timeshare industry. Three of Marriott’s developments in Hawaii are ranked in the top 5 of all the Marriott resorts:
- #2 Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club Resort in Oahu
- #3 Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club
- #5 Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club
Disney is another major player. Its multi-million dollar, Aulani Disney Vacation Club in Oahu was voted #1 in Travel + Leisure’s 2014 Top Family Hotels in the U.S.A. Disney also offers cruises around the islands.
Starwood Resorts has multiple locations on all four of the islands, as does Hilton Grand Vacations. California based, Grand Pacific Resorts has three locations in Princeville on Kauai—Makai Club Resort, Alii Kai Resort and the Hanalei Bay Resort.
Most Popular Exchange Islands
There’s no easy answer to this question as each island offers its own uniqueness and attractions, but most polls put the islands in this order:
- Oahu
- Maui
- Kauai
- Hawaii (Big Island)