A total of 558,990 tourists visited the Islands last month, up 7.1 percent from September 2004, according to data released yesterday from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Visitor spending totaled $913 million, a 14.1 percent increase from the same time a year ago.

"Domestic arrivals in September set a new milestone for the month," said state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert. "Contributing to the record total arrivals in September was a 72.2 percent increase in meeting, convention and incentive visitors and a 12.7 percent (increase) in honeymooners in the Islands."

State cuts securities and franchise filing fees

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Business Registration Division is implementing a one-time only reduction of securities and franchise filing fees, which is expected to result in a total savings of more than $2 million dollars for Hawaii businesses.

The reduction is possible because the department is expected to run budget surplus in fiscal year 2006, in part because of Hawaii's robust economy. The filings fees will be lowered by 50% for application and renewal fees for securities dealers and their salespeople, investment advisors and their representatives, the initial notice filing and renewal fees for investment company securities, and the application, amendment and renewal fees for franchise filings.  

The reduction is one-time only for one-year.  The fees will automatically readjust to the statutory fee on November 1, 2006.

Hilton profit up 46 percent in 3rd quarter

Hilton Hotels Corp. said third-quarter profit rose 46 percent on higher room rates and property sales.

Net income increased to $89 million, or 22 cents a share, from $61 million, or 15 cents, a year earlier. Revenue rose 6.7 percent to $1.1 billion a year ago, the Beverly Hills, California-based company said today in a statement.

Hilton lifted rates an average of 8.9 percent at owned hotels in markets including New York and Hawaii as business and leisure travel rose. The company boosted profit by $4 million with the sale of assets including the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago as it moves toward managing and franchising properties on behalf on other owners.