Newlyweds Ty and Kirschel Vollebregt considered their home state of California, Mexico and Europe when deciding where to spend their dream honeymoon. After weighing everything from cost and convenience to distance and drinks, they agreed on Hawaii.
"We wanted the beach. We wanted to lay around. We wanted fruity drinks with umbrellas," said Kirschel Vollebregt.
The couple from Dana Point, California are among millions of Americans flocking to Hawaii in record numbers this year. Besides the refreshing mai tais, tourism experts say the boom can be credited in part to the global unrest, including terrorism, which has persuaded many Americans to seek exotic travel destinations within the U.S. borders.
Safety has become a key consideration for globe-trotting Americans.
"We used to say that the motivations for tourists were sea, sun and sand ... the three new S's are safety, security and sanitation," said Walter Jamieson, dean of the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii.
A recent study commissioned by the state found that "safety-security" was the most important factor for Americans choosing a destination. Value and clean environment were second.
"People are looking for something different at the same time, they want the sense of security that goes with traveling within the United States," Jamieson said.
The Hawaii Marketing Effectiveness Study also showed that Hawaii's image as a safe destination was among the state's strengths, along with scenery, clean environment and being a great place to get away.
"I have no desire to go (abroad) at all, in fact I don't want to even go to Canada any more," said Steve DeMeyer of Phoenix, Arizona, who was recently lounging at Waikiki Beach. "I'm happy with America."
Marsha Weinert, the state's tourism liaison, said "there's no question Hawaii is benefiting greatly from sentiments of wanting to travel within the U.S., rather than internationally."
The 50th state, with its own unique culture, language and history, offers tourists the international experience they are seeking, Weinert said.
"Still in the United States and protected by Homeland Security, but we're still far away and exotic," said John Monahan, president and chief executive of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau.
Make your arrangements to visit Hawaii at Travel-Hawaii.
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