Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference Began in Honolulu

Industry leaders met at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to address rising costs and global travel uncertainty.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Travel — General

Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference Began in Honolulu

Live Poll

Do you feel your personal financial stability is worsening due to rising costs in your area?

The 2026 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference opened at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. The event gathers experts to discuss the state of the industry amidst significant shifts in global travel behavior.

Why it matters

Rising airfares and broader economic factors, including the impact of the Iran war, have severely dampened consumer confidence in travel. These challenges are forcing industry professionals to reevaluate long-term strategies to maintain tourism levels.

Travel costs have surged by 50% or more, while the lowest available airfares from the East Coast to Hawaiʻi currently sit at approximately $1,400. These figures reflect the current logistical hurdles facing visitors planning trips to the islands.

The players

Paul Brewbaker

Paul Brewbaker is an economist who is scheduled to deliver the closing remarks for a panel on Friday, September 25, 2026.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort is the host venue for the 2026 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference in Honolulu.

The details

Economists and industry leaders are utilizing the conference to dissect how the current geopolitical climate and economic pressures affect visitor attendance. Sessions are also exploring how artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape various sectors of the local economy.

September 24, 2026: The 2026 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference began.
September 25, 2026: The conference concludes.

Travel Outlook

This conference marks a pivot from the post-pandemic global tourism recovery fluctuations as rising costs and geopolitical instability create new barriers to visitor growth. It reflects a shift toward more cautious market projections compared to the rapid travel rebounds seen in earlier years.

Travelers should budget for significantly higher expenses, as travel costs have surged by at least 50% recently. Those flying from the East Coast should anticipate base airfares starting at roughly $1,400, necessitating earlier booking windows and increased financial planning.

The takeaway

Travelers currently face a challenging environment defined by sharp price increases and geopolitical uncertainty. Implementing flexible travel plans and monitoring budget spikes remains the most effective strategy for managing trips to the islands.

What happens next

Economists are scheduled to hold a follow-up meeting at the end of the week, specifically focusing on the integration and impact of artificial intelligence within state industries.