Everyone needs to take a vacation sometime, and Americans love to take vacations to see new sights and sounds and also get away from the daily grind of adult life. Many statistics today are kept to see how often Americans go on vacation, as well as where they go and how much they spend. For domestic travel and tourism, locations such as the Florida coast, California, Alaska, and Hawaii are among the most popular destinations, and excursions to these exotic locales can be great fun, especially the exotic land of Hawaii, one of the last states to join the Union. This chain of islands is an ideal place for excursions in warm weather, and what is more, there is more than one way to visit Hawaii. Many people explore the coasts by boat or go snorkeling to view the wildlife up close and in person, but the sky is another route for such excursions. A sightseeing adventure from high above is possible when a person signs up for helicopter rides in Oahu, for example. Hawaii helicopter tours prove popular, and Hawaii vacation ideas can definitely include such a tour from above. How often to Americans visit this island state? What should be kept in mind when arranging a helicopter tour?
Americans and Vacations
It is safe to say that Americans love to take vacations, especially domestically. A recent AAA survey found that 35% of all Americans are planning to take vacations at least 50 miles away from where they live, and this can allow them to relax in somewhere new and fun. And Hawaii is certainly more than 50 miles away for anyone who does not already live there. In fact, 96% of Americans agree that taking vacations is important to them, and there is no shortage of places to visit for such excursions. Recently, as of 2017, there was even an increase in spending for summer vacations; from 2016-2017, there was a 12.5% climb in vacation spending, and many Americans are choosing Hawaii in particular. As of 2017, Hawaii welcomed a record total of 9.3 million guests, a 4.7% increase from the previous year, and on any given day in 2016, nearly 220,000 guests were in Hawaii. How might someone plan excursions to this state?
Visit Hawaii in Style
Being an island state with a lot of wilderness, Hawaii can be explored by land, sea, or air, and there are advantages to each. In the water, a person can borrow a boat and explore the coasts with a tour guide, or they can even go swimming and snorkeling at certain beaches and see the wildlife up close and personal (a person should be wary of dangerous wildlife such as sharks and jellyfish, of course). But the air, too, is another great way to explore this island state, and helicopter tours are often available in islands such as Oahu and other popular destination spots.
From the air, a person can look out the helicopter’s windows and see the vast wilderness in one panorama, and a tour guide will be present to explain the local sights and answer any questions that the tourists might have. How can a person get on board a helicopter like this? Usually, a person will book a flight ahead of time, and naturally, a tourist should choose flights that are open during their intended vacation time frame (or the vacation itself may be planned around the flight if so desired). And once the flight is successfully booked and the time comes to fly, the passengers in the group can board the helicopter and put on headsets so that they can hear the tour guide, and each other, over the noise of the vehicle. The helicopter will keep its doors and windows closed for safety, but passengers can easily see outside the windows.
Helicopters may fly in all but the most dangerous weather, so tourists may also consider the local weather forecasts before booking a flight. Also, during the busy season, flights may be rapidly booked, so during peak seasons, tourists may want to book a flight well in advance. Or, a tourist can simply visit during the off season and enjoy a broader selection of options.