Why Hawaii attracts more tourists than most countries

Tourists spent nearly 16 billion dollars (approx. £12 billion) in Hawaii during 2016.

That’s more revenue from tourism than Cambodia, Brazil and Costa Rica combined generated during that same year.

So what’s drawing visitors to Hawaii?  

To help us answer this question, we surveyed 890 individuals out of the more than three million people who take surveys on SurveyMonkey every day.

Here’s what they had to say about visiting the “Aloha State”:

Known for its active volcanoes, wildlife refuges and tall active peaks, it’s little wonder that 88% of our respondents cite natural beauty as a reason for visiting Hawaii.

Relaxing on the beach is the second most popular reason for visiting. This is especially the case for women and young adults between the ages of 18 and 29. 85% in each group cite it as a reason why they would visit. It seems that people find the prospect of topping up their tan on the beach more alluring than getting active!

Participating in traditional Hawaiian culture and customs is another key part of tourists’ plans.

67% want to learn about the culture by visiting sacred lands, and the same share want to explore “hidden gems” with a local expert.

The appetite for trying local cuisine is also strong. 65% of respondents want to pair locally brewed beer with poke and attend cooking classes. Is your mouth watering yet?

Engaging in active adventures is still popular, particularly among young adults.

Whether visitors want to meditate surrounded by beautiful sights, embrace the Hawaiian culture or engage in more dynamic activities, demand for a balanced, itinerary-packed trip to Hawaii is high.

That’s all for now, or as the Hawaiians would say: “i ka a pau no ka manawa.”