tourism
Maui County is unique in Hawaii. It is the only County that can boast three very different and special islands, each of which offers its own set of one-of-a-kind experiences for seasoned travelers as well as first time visitors.
The Visitor Industry is Maui’s leading economic sector. The Maui Visitors Bureau (which includes the Lanai Visitors Bureau and the Molokai Visitors Association) markets the Islands of Maui Nui – Maui, Molokai and Lanai – as viable and attractive travel destinations to visitors from the mainland and beyond.
Together with hotels, airlines and travel companies, MVB develops comprehensive marketing programs to help Maui retain its “#1 island in the World” status — as noted by the most respected travel outlets in the nation, including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, Travelocity, and Successful Meetings and Conventions.
- The visitor industry touches every aspect of our three islands – approximately 80% of every dollar is generated directly or indirectly by the visitor industry – it is irrefutably the “economic engine” for the County of Maui.
- Today, Maui consistently produces some of highest room rates and occupancies in the state. Increased revenue for Maui Nui from “TAT” (hotel room tax) exceeds $20 million annually.
- The lion’s share of this tax is not paid by local residents, but rather by visitors who stay in Maui’s hotels and resorts.
- Maui County then reinvests these visitor-generated dollars into marketing Maui Nui for the benefit of all industry dependent businesses.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the state’s leading industry advocate and manager. The State of Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is a regulatory body that continues to develop methods to manage tourism’s growth in a way that maximizes both the residents’ quality of life and the visitor experience.
Visitor Arrivals by Air, Maui County, 2000-2015
Year | Domestic | International | Total |
2000 | 1,834,361 | 470,035 | 2,304,396 |
2005 | 2,080,731 | 265,749 | 2,346,480 |
2010 | 1,828,063 | 294,572 | 2,122,635 |
2015 | 2,083,998 | 456,165 | 2,540,163 |
2019 | 2,650,787 | 460,345 | 3,111,131 |
2020 | 693,197 | 99,404 | 792,602 |
2021 | 2,262,137 | 41,805 | 2,303,942 |
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Visitor Daily Census, Maui County (average number of visitors present per day)
Year | Visitor Numbers |
2000 | 43,854 |
2005 | 48,414 |
2010 | 47,421 |
2015 | 58,211 |
2019 | 66,363 |
2020 | 20,637 |
2021 | 54,866 |
Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority