Hawaii enacted some of the strictest travel measures in the United States in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mandatory two-week quarantine was enforced in March 2020 for all travelers arriving to the Hawaiian Islands; this quarantine applied not only to out-of-state visitors, but also to local interisland travel. As a result, a majority of hotels and resorts suspended operations. In October 2020, a Safe Travels program was introduced, easing the quarantine for inbound travelers contingent upon a negative COVID-19 test result within three days prior to arrival. This policy, in addition to the outdoor living and lifestyle of the islands, contributed to Hawaii being perceived as a safe haven from the pandemic.
Article - HVS Market Report - Travel Trends and Supply Changes for the Hawaii Lodging Markett - By John Berean - Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and early 2021, the state of Hawaii experienced a historic surge in domestic tourism, driving RevPAR to record levels in 2022. This article explores recent hotel performance throughout the state, as well as the outlook for the future.