Non-essential travel to and within the islands starting on November 1st can resume for fully vaccinating residents. Plus other non-residents, David Ige announced. On October 19, there was an announcement made at a news conference at the new international terminal at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
Non-Essential Travel – Getting the Economy Up and Running
The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association has stated: “The local tourism industry is, in fact, pleased that Governor Ige has signaling today that he is ready to welcome non-essential travelers back to Hawaii starting on November 1. In fact, we do recognize that there are still details that really need sorting out. Plus paying special mind to input from the county mayors. As well as information that is provided by the healthcare community and the business sector. Moreover, this announcement is really an important first step toward getting our economy moving again safely and judiciously.”
On August 23rd, Governor Ige did call for a halt to non-essential travel. This was amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and the critical capacity levels at hospitals.
Lodging cancelations, after the governor’s announcement and lower occupancy levels, have hit hotels hard. This does come on the heels of a rebound in the tourism industry during the summer months.
After the governor’s announcement, lodging cancelations and much lower occupancy levels hit hotels hard, coming on the heels of a rebound in the tourism industry during the summer months.
Mufi Hannemann who is The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association President and CEO Mufi Hannemann said in a statement:
“Because the governor’s request for nonessential travel has halted, the industry is seeing cancellations increase. Yet the occupancy is cut almost in half in some instances. Therefore, some hotels have been forcing to offer discounts in order to keep operating. In fact, all of this has taken place during our normal slow season.”
Over the last several weeks, the governor has cited Hawaii’s decline in Corona Virus numbers over the last several weeks, there are fewer COVID-19 patients in hospitals and a healthier health care system as part of Tuesday’s announcement.
