Waikiki tourism drives $8.7 billion in Hawaii visitor spending

A report from UHERO highlights the evolving economic role of Waikiki within Hawaii’s tourism industry. In 2024, Waikiki-based visitor activity generated approximately $8.7 billion, accounting for 36% of the state’s total visitor expenditures. While Waikiki’s share of the statewide tourism economy has decreased from 46% in 2002 to 36% in 2024 as visitors diversify toward the Neighbor Islands, the area remains a critical economic driver.

Waikiki’s tourism activity contributed an estimated $6.9 billion, or 6% of Hawaii’s Gross State Product, and supported 62,000 civilian jobs statewide. The area maintains a significant price advantage over other islands; as of August 2026, the average daily hotel rate in Waikiki was $267, significantly lower than rates in Maui County ($548), Kauai ($436), and the Big Island ($476).

Despite having slightly fewer accommodations than two decades ago, Waikiki accommodates roughly 16,000 more visitors on an average day than it did in 2002. This is attributed to higher occupancy rates, which rose from approximately 70% to 80%, and a trend of more visitors staying in each occupied unit.