Impressions of Hawaii.
Let’s face it, the middle of June is the target travel month when the majority of Americans pack up the kids for their annual summer vacation. The checklist usually includes sunscreen, bug spray, and perhaps even a playlist to keep all parties calm during endless road trips.
For over two years, Covid pushed pause on these long-awaited summer vacations. This left millions of travelers counting the days until they could once again savor the sunshine.
Well, finally their day arrived.
According to a recent Gallup poll, over half of Americans vacationed during the month of July, cashing in their vacation days during the most popular month for summer vacations.
In other words, travel traffic is at its peak in July, followed by August which comes in second. During those months, expect a price bump on flights, hotels, rental cars, and attractions.
But let’s be honest, how refreshing is it to even be discussing this topic . . .especially after a pandemic season that left top travel destinations looking like ghost towns?
Such was the case in Hawaii.
Rainbow days and Mai Tai dreams faded on March 6, 2020 when Hawaii reported its first Covid case, triggering a stay-at-home order that lasted two months. The state issued a mandatory 14-day quarantine for all travelers, forcing hotels, airlines, and restaurants to eventually close.
No one really knew how long it would last, or even if a global reset was possible. For several months, the pandemic affected all aspects of life in the Aloha state, demolishing its economy, closing its schools, and straining its healthcare system — even though there were fewer cases in Hawaii than in other US states.
But this June, we finally tasted the Mai Tai rainbow. The State of Hawaii's Safe Travels restrictions ended on March 25, 2022. This meant travelers were no longer required to complete a Safe Travels application (or be vaccinated) to enter the Hawaiian Islands. How “normal” was life back on the island? We sent several members of our Travel Concierge Team to test the waters.
What they found was not only encouraging but frankly, rather mind-blowing.
Gone are the Masks: With more than 78% of Hawaii residents fully vaccinated, there’s now a comfort level for travelers visiting the islands. The indoor mask mandate has been lifted (even on flights), taking things back to the way they were pre-pandemic.
Staff is Abundant: In 2021, hotels and restaurants were understaffed due to layoffs and those who sought work elsewhere. Suddenly, along came a pent-up demand from travelers claiming back their credits and canceled trips from 2020, causing an immediate surge in prices — not to mention a shortage in everything from flights to rental cars. Wait times were long and travelers were (understandably) frustrated, but thankfully, staff is abundant and service is back to above par.
Rental Cars are Revving: During Covid, car rental companies sold off their fleets, only to have regret when a shortage hit the island. Daily rates went from $75 to $200+, depending on location and season. Along came the locals, offering peer-to-peer rental cars under the brand “Turo.” Today, car rental companies have been able to move into a position to better control prices and put a big squeeze on Turo and its car owners. In other words, you’ll finally get the rental car you want for a fair price.
Island Respect is Prominent: The pandemic gave Hawaii’s tourism officials time to reevaluate the things that matter. . .sustainability. Recently they launched a campaign called “Hawaii is our Home” in an effort to educate visitors about being respectful of the islands. From staying on trails to keeping distance from marine life, this hopeful message toward nature has blessed both the land and its people.
Flights are Reasonable: Southwest, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines all have great deals on flights, especially between islands, some for as low as $39 on Southwest. Now, it’s easy to set a fare alert and book those travel deals, or better yet, use those stale air miles you’ve been hoarding since Covid.
While it’s safe to say nothing will ever be the same as it was pre-pandemic, Hawaii is one destination determined to make a comeback with a vengeance . . .