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Survey of Maui Vacation Rental Companies
Four Companies (1) thru (4)
West Maui Area (1) thru (3)
Kihei Area (4)
First, Second, Third & Fourth - Quarterly Report - 2003 |
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1) First Quarter - West Maui
area - Our first quarter was down about 6% compared to 2002. We
are actually pleased with our rental revenues and occupancy given
the weak economy, mid-east problems, and high cost of airfares
during the first quarter and poor stock market performance. Our
April and May are extremely good as airfares have come down and the
war in Iraq comes to an end. We are running a Spring Promotion with
discounts up to 20%. It looks like our summer revenue will be a
little better than last year.
1) Second Quarter - West Maui area - Second quarter rental
revenue was up about 6% over 2002 with occupancy a little less than
last year. Our unit type occupancy was up in the two and three
bedroom condos and occupancy was off for our one bedroom units. This
mix explains the increased revenue with a slight decrease in
occupancy. Our higher priced one bedroom units performed badly in
the second quarter. The weak economy and low wealth factor continues
to hurt our vacation business with retired couples. Rental revenues
are off about 2% through June 2003. Our July/August summer period
looks good. Airline rates to Maui are attractive this summer. We
have not had to offer our vacation rental clients any discounted
rates for the summer period.
1) Third Quarter - West Maui Area - Third quarter for our
West Maui vacations rentals was off by 3% compared to 2002. Our
average daily rates also dropped about 3% during this time period.
Marketing costs are up by more than 45% through the third quarter.
So at this point we are spending more and discounting more to
maintain our rental business. We continue to see a drop in the one
bedroom revenue. This may indicate that fewer fixed income couples
are traveling. We are happy to report that our return guest revenue
was up by more than 11%. As the economy picks up we believe demand
for Maui vacation travel will also improve.
1) Fourth Quarter - West Maui Area - Our 4th quarter 2003
bookings for West Maui were off by more than 5% compared to our 2002
4th quarter. Our average daily rates remained the same for 2002 and
2003 4th quarters. 1st quarter 2004 reservations made in 2003 are up
by more than 15%. We did announce a price increase December 1, 2003,
for selected properties based on our successful 1st quarter advanced
reservations. This is our first price increase during the past two+
years. We see 2004 election year as a solid year for the leisure
business due to favorable airline fares, a strengthening economy, a
growing job market, good consumer confidence and a pent-up demand
for vacation travel.
2) First Quarter - West Maui
area - We were off to a strong start this year as occupancy and
revenue was up approximately 10% for January and February and March
over first quarter of 2002. April however will be down about 10%
from last year as we go into the second quarter and May looks flat
so far. The war, SARS and airline bankruptcy rumors have contributed
to the slowdown in travel to Hawaii and elsewhere.
2) Second Quarter - West Maui area - This second quarter has
ended better than expected. Gross revenues were up 10% from last
year for all three months. It continues to be a challenge to
estimate occupancy however in the coming months as many travelers
are booking at the last minute. We have had to offer special
discounts to compete with the wholesalers on many of our properties.
July's occupancy looks better at this point than does August.
Special airline rates for travel in September may give this normally
quiet month a good jump-start.
2) Third Quarter - West Maui area - We experienced an
increase for all three months with August showing the highest at
12%. We continued to offer discounts through this period to boost
occupancy and continue to experience a very short booking window
through September. Christmas has been sold out and many travelers
are still looking for availability, which is encouraging as we had
some open space up to the holiday period last year. Winter bookings
look strong and we are seeing a surge for early summer 2004 as well.
Recent reports projecting an increase in travel throughout the U.S.
in 2004 look promising for several popular destinations, Hawaii
specifically.
2) Fourth Quarter - West Maui area - Our numbers were up
significantly during the last quarter of 2003. Compared to 2002,
October, 2003 had a 19% increase in gross revenue, November, 2003
had a 12% increase in gross revenue in and December, 2003 had a 9%
increase in gross revenue. The lower and discounted airfares late in
year helped the fourth quarter revenue production and were also
responsible for the booking window shrinking to one to two weeks
prior to arrival date. Travelers have changed their planning and
booking habits relative to advance preparation during the next
coming 4th quarter. We believe the harsh and long winters in the
Midwest and East areas are responsible for the substantial increase
in advance bookings we are experiencing for the winter of 2004. The
first quarter of 2004 is appears to be very promising and our
numbers are noticeably way up compared to the first quarter of 2001,
2002 and 2003, specifically during the month of February and March.
3) First Quarter - West Maui area - January we were up 17% in
revenue in February up 14% and March up 1.5%. All due to price
increases in our rates. Our occupancy dropped almost 8% for the
first quarter. April is looking stronger than last year, May and
June relatively slow, July and August ahead of last years booking
pattern so we are optimistic about a healthy summer. As usual the
airfares are dictating the travel patterns. Some great fares are now
open for the spring, but they're releasing them with a very short
term booking window and tight restrictions.
3) Second Quarter - West Maui area - We do not process our
financials until the 25th of the month so I do not have June's
results yet. Provided are April and May and projections for June.
April results were relatively good compared to April, 2002 with a
58% increase in revenue due to rates. We chose not to discount this
spring and sacrifice the occupancy. It paid off in April; however
the same strategy did not have the same positive results for May.
May showed a 15% increase in revenue with a dramatic drop in
occupancy compared to May, 2002. Our June forecast suggests the same
as May with a slight increase over last year's revenues and a drop
in occupancy. July is showing good potential with consistent short
term bookings. We anticipate a fairly good July and have a good
solid base for August. We have chosen not to discount our rates with
the belief that in this economy it will not impact our occupancy
enough to increase our revenues. Our two bedroom and three bedroom
unit inventory has been exhausted for the summer. We still have one
bedroom units available for August. We're still holding out for the
short term bookings.
3) Third Quarter - West Maui area - Not available.
3) Fourth Quarter - West Maui area - During October we were
up 5% over October, 2002; November we were even with November, 2002;
December we were up 17% from December, 2002. At year's end for 2003
we were up 18% from year end of 2002. Although the rental income was
up the occupancy was down 3% at year's end. The booking lead time
during the fourth quarter was running about 45 to 90 days. The high
airfares were having a negative impact on the number of travelers to
the islands. The number of available timeshares are impacting
occupancy for vacation rental condos. Special promos through large
wholesale companies becoming increasing difficult to compete
especially with free night packages.
4) First Quarter - Kihei Area - Occupancy was up about 10%
from last year. ADR (Average Daily Room Rate) was also up, about 3%.
Call volume for future bookings was slightly ahead of the pace of
last year until the war started. Since the war, call and booking
volumes have been erratic trending in the downward direction.
Interesting to note - very few war related cancellations. We have
concerns about the continuing financial condition of the airlines
and it's effect on summer lift and rates.
4) Second Quarter - Kihei Area - Occupancy was up 12% from
last year. ADR was also up about 4%. The late Easter holiday and
strong June occupancy helped carry the quarter. Booking volume for
the summer and the rest of the year is also well ahead of last year.
The higher summer air fares don't seem to be deterring Maui
vacations. We are 'almost optimistic'.
4) Third Quarter - Kihei Area - Occupancy was up 10% from
last year. ADR was also up about 4%. July and a very strong August
carried the quarter. Booking volume for the fall and next winter is
also well ahead of this past year. Low seat capacity from Canada is
the only dark cloud in the sky at the moment. We are optimistic.
4) Fourth Quarter - Kihei Area - Occupancy was up 8% from
last year. ADR was also up about 3%. December carried the quarter
with record room revenues. Q1 2004 will be better than Q1 2003, and
booking volume for 2004 is ahead of last year. The anticipated drop
in Canadian travelers has not hurt us. Last minute bookings have
become the norm. We remain optimistic. |
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