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Vegas tourism has become very expensive
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I have found that prices have dropped rather dramatically since August. Lots of good flight/hotel packages, big discounts off shows and even restaurant discounts. Highly suggest seeing "The Wizard of Oz" at The Sphere.
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12-23-2025, 07:08 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-23-2025, 07:16 AM by TomK.)
(12-21-2025, 03:03 PM)kalakoa Wrote: The only problem is, flights out of ITO don't begin until next August. Who knows what kind of economy we'll have by then?
Welcome back to Hawaii. I thought you had left.
(12-22-2025, 06:49 AM)randomq Wrote: Aside from the real (non-AI spending) economy stalling, Vegas tourism has become very expensive, just like Hawaii. I might use these flights to get to the mainland, but probably not to vacation in Vegas very long...
This is why I wonder if things might be different. We had United fly a daily non-stop service to CA (was it Oakland? I forget), but Vegas is a little different, as just about everyone flies there, including the rest of the World. I agree that I wouldn't go to Vegas for a vacation, but a stopover is a different beast. I don't see wide-bodied aircraft suddenly flying to Hilo, but I wonder if Alaska/Hawaiian will counter things with cheaper flights via Honolulu or Maui.
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I am quite sure this new U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal will bolster tourism to the US, especially Hawaii, from the 42 countries that waive VISA requirements to come into the US including here in Hawaii:
Snipped from HTH article:
If it moves forward as proposed, applicants for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) starting on Feb. 8 would have to list all social media accounts used in the past five years.
The changes, part of broader vetting measures under the Trump administration, also would require travelers to disclose email addresses used over the past decade and detailed family information.
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/202...m-economy/
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Time for that Vegas trip... Nice air and hotel package deals right now.
Data provided by Harry Reid International showed that the drop in visitors has been significant.
Las Vegas International Airport (Harry Reid) saw more than 450,000 fewer passengers in November compared to the same month last year. The total number was 4.3 million, a 9.6% drop.
That downturn outpaced October’s 8.2% decline and marked the tenth consecutive month of year‑over‑year decreases.
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Wow, really makes you wonder what's going on, eh?
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(12-28-2025, 02:41 AM)randomq Wrote: Wow, really makes you wonder what's going on, eh?
MAGA.
We're witnessing the destruction of our country, our economy, our industries. And, at this point, you'd have to be a fool to go through a TSA checkpoint.. unless you're a white boy.
Internationally, I'll bet a 90% drop off. If the folks in country haven't figured that out, yet, I am sure our international counterparts have. And there is no reason, none, they would risk the life, the freedom, the economics, they have to visit us.. none.
This time next year.. we'll be a ghost town dominated by white national "christian" zombies.. praise the lord and pass the ammunition..
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(12-28-2025, 03:47 AM)MyManao Wrote: (12-28-2025, 02:41 AM)randomq Wrote: Wow, really makes you wonder what's going on, eh?
MAGA.
We're witnessing the destruction of our country, our economy, our industries. And, at this point, you'd have to be a fool to go through a TSA checkpoint.. unless you're a white boy.
Internationally, I'll bet a 90% drop off. If the folks in country haven't figured that out, yet, I am sure our international counterparts have. And there is no reason, none, they would risk the life, the freedom, the economics, they have to visit us.. none.
This time next year.. we'll be a ghost town dominated by white national "christian" zombies.. praise the lord and pass the ammunition.
90%? I really don't see this happening. Most international visitors to Hawaii are probably well to do financially and therefore feel somewhat confident in their ability to navigate the MAGA nonsense without issue. If it comes down to paying a bribe, so be it. 
During our recent visit to Volcanoes Park I noticed a few Indian tourists and wondered what the trend is for them coming to the US. Google says: "The data shows that between 2023 and 2024, Indian tourist arrivals in the U.S. jumped from 1.7 million to 2.2 million. However, the trend is taking a downward turn in 2025, with projections showing a steep drop to only 1 million arrivals by the summer.2 days ago"
Well, that's over 50% in two years. Fairly substantial! 
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I spent some of my Hilton points to stay at the Naniloa over Christmas. I noticed there were many more Indian visitors than I have ever seen before. On my third night there, I was at the Lobby Bar and got talking to an Indian guy, and I asked him if he had an opinion on why there were so many Indian people there. He was a knowledgeable guy, and I'd already had a fascinating chat with him. He said the Indians staying at the Naniloa were mainly from the West Coast, i.e., California. He also explained that most people in India couldn't afford to fly to Hawaii, and even if they could, the current travel restrictions kept most out of the US.
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the current travel restrictions kept most out of the US
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While it is true that Indians require a visa to visit the US, there are no outright travel restrictions placed by the US. There are bond requirements for certain travel agencies due to illegal immigration abuses. Maybe that is what they were explaining? There are also only a few airports - JFK, BOS, IAD that those travelers can enter through, but it does not affect all India travelers. A company I recently contracted to for a large Kubernetes deployment has 4,000 folks in Mumbai.
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12-31-2025, 08:29 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-31-2025, 08:33 AM by TomK.)
(12-30-2025, 03:20 PM)leilanidude Wrote: the current travel restrictions kept most out of the US
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There are also only a few airports - JFK, BOS, IAD that those travelers can enter through, but it does not affect all India travelers. A company I recently contracted to for a large Kubernetes deployment has 4,000 folks in Mumbai.
Why can't Indians arrive at other US international airports? As long as they have a legitimate visa, why can't they arrive at LAX, SEA, ORD, HNL etc?
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