LIHU'E – Canadian air carrier WestJet announced yesterday that Kaua'i has been added to its list of new routes for the coming season.

Kaua'i is the only new Hawaiian destination that the carrier is adding this winter with twice weekly service to start Dec. 16.

“I had the opportunity to meet with WestJet representatives in June and am thrilled that they’ve given this vote of confidence to Kaua'i,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “I applaud Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau (KVB), and Lihu'e Airport Manager Manu Crabbe for making sure Kaua‘i didn’t miss this opportunity to expand our Canadian market.”

Kanoho noted that collaborative island efforts have paid off with WestJet’s decision to bring flights to Kaua'i from Vancouver.


George Costa, director of Economic Development, is also looking forward to the increase in arrivals from Canada, and the positive impact it will have on the island’s economy.

He said, “Canadians have an affection for Kaua’i and it shows in the length of their vacation stay. The latest visitor statistics show Canadians’ average length of stay at 7.3 days, a 17.6 percent increase over last year!”

In October, the mayor will join KVB representatives on a West Coast road show – including western Canada – and will take the opportunity to promote WestJet’s new service to Kaua'i.

The road shows are part of the county’s $1 million Visitor Industry Stimulus Plan involving a partnership with the Kaua'i Visitors Bureau, and in coordination with the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, which aims to attract visitors to Kaua'i and keep the visitor industry and related businesses viable during tough economic times.

Another component of the stimulus plan is a promotion with wholesalers and online travel companies, such as Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz, to increase visitor arrivals to Kauai.

Officials estimate that over the next year, the Visitor Stimulus Plan will generate approximately $20.1 million in visitor spending on hotels, condos, car rentals, activities, restaurants, retail outlets and related businesses.