Hawaii’s $760 Night: The Hidden Cost Behind Every Visitor Stay
Hawaii hotels say 2025 produced a $12 billion economic ripple—an amount spread across the economy that translates to about $760 in economic impact per occupied room night once visitor spending on dining, shopping, transportation, and experiences is included, though this is not the room rate. Total visitor spending reached roughly $21.75 billion with arrivals near 9.6 million, and daily per-person spending rose to about $273. Base rates, resort fees, parking and taxes push the tax-inclusive cost toward ~19%, and despite higher spending, hotel profitability has not fully rebounded and some properties have downsized or closed. The figures underscore scale and leverage, but where the money ultimately benefits locally remains a point of debate.
