- Honolulu hotels generate $12B for economy, an AHLA and HHA found.
- The city’s 29,112 hotel rooms records nearly 8.6 million room nights annually.
- The industry supports nearly 64,000 jobs, contributes $1.9 billion in taxes.
HONOLULU HOTEL OPERATIONS and visitor spending generate $12 billion in economic activity and support 63,912 jobs, according to a report by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance. The industry contributes $1.9 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue.
The report, “Honolulu Economic Impact of the Hotel Industry – January 2026,” conducted by Oxford Economics, found that hotels directly employ 18,088 workers and pay $1.4 billion in annual wages. The industry generates $830.9 million in federal, $722.2 million in state and $329.9 million in local tax revenue each year.
Honolulu has 29,112 hotel rooms and records nearly 8.6 million room nights sold annually across 93 properties, the report said. Another 997 rooms are in development.
In addition to hotel jobs, visitor spending supports restaurants, retail and arts and entertainment. Hotel guests spend $6.5 billion annually in Honolulu, or $760 per room night on lodging, retail, dining and other activities. Taxes from hotel operations and guest spending fund public services, including schools, infrastructure and first responders.
“Honolulu’s hotels are more than places to stay. They are centers of opportunity,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. “This new data underscores how deeply our industry is woven into the city’s economic and social fabric. When hotels thrive, they create good-paying jobs, support small businesses and deliver essential tax revenue that benefits every Hawai’i resident. Continued investment and smart policy will continue to fuel that momentum.”
Jerry Gibson, HHA president, said hotels support tens of thousands of local workers, source from island businesses and contribute to communities across the state.
“When visitors choose to stay here, their spending ripples far beyond the hotel walls—helping local farms, restaurants, shops and entertainers succeed,” he said. “As we continue to grow, strong support for hospitality ensures our local economy remains resilient and ready for the future. Our industry’s success is Hawai’i’s success.”
In October, a separate study by AHLA found Denver’s hospitality industry generates $7 billion in economic activity, supports 34,000 jobs and contributes $1.1 billion in taxes. Hotel guests spend more than $4 billion annually in the city.
