09-17-2014, 06:52 AM
The demand to see lava of any kind is huge. My years spent talking with potential visitors on Tripadvisor has taught me that.
Many visitors want to add on a short Big Island segment to trips to other islands, for the sole purpose of striking "see lava" off their bucket list. There are also day trippers from Maui and Oahu. There's a whole market of Aussie visitors who prefer Oahu because they don't need to drive, who want to come over and see lava. Honeymooners going to Maui who want to jaunt over and take a look.
All this in addition to the regular Big Island visitor.
It's not speculation to say the market is there. As for where to stay, people are willing to drive from anywhere from Hakalau to Punalu'u.
The smaller niche of visitors are the ones who want to stay in an isolated area. Most first timers want to find one or two bases from which they can make day trips. An east side base with a weird traffic and road scenario won't appeal to those. You need to find the niche for "retreat" type travelers. It exists, for sure, but would need somewhat different marketing strategy.
Kathy
Many visitors want to add on a short Big Island segment to trips to other islands, for the sole purpose of striking "see lava" off their bucket list. There are also day trippers from Maui and Oahu. There's a whole market of Aussie visitors who prefer Oahu because they don't need to drive, who want to come over and see lava. Honeymooners going to Maui who want to jaunt over and take a look.
All this in addition to the regular Big Island visitor.
It's not speculation to say the market is there. As for where to stay, people are willing to drive from anywhere from Hakalau to Punalu'u.
The smaller niche of visitors are the ones who want to stay in an isolated area. Most first timers want to find one or two bases from which they can make day trips. An east side base with a weird traffic and road scenario won't appeal to those. You need to find the niche for "retreat" type travelers. It exists, for sure, but would need somewhat different marketing strategy.
Kathy