Outrigger Waikiki bell captain Robert Uchida can usually count on taking a few days off between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when business slows down a bit.

Not this year.

"Normally you kind of have the feeling that we can relax because we (usually) cut back on hours," said Uchida, 48. "On a normal winter season some of the guys will take off one day a week, but we weren't able to do that this year because ... we've really been busy."

The tourism industry usually experiences highs and lows in December, with a crush of visitors for the Honolulu Marathon early in the month followed by a slower period until more people arrive for the holidays.

This year, thanks to an international chemical scientists' conference in Waikiki and continued strong demand for Hawai'i vacations, business for many has been humming steadily.

"On the heels of the marathon, the business is just continuing to roll right into the holidays and there's no break at all," said Ken Phillips, of Pleasant Holidays, the largest U.S. operator of tours to Hawai'i. "It's looking very good — extremely good — for the holidays. Lots of good things in the Christmas stocking, I think."

Hotel and travel executives also anticipate the momentum to continue into the first quarter of next year.

Phillips said bookings in January are strong and hotels have fewer specials, indicating executives are feeling confident as well.

"It's usually a much slower period right after the holidays," he said. "It kind of drops off for a while, but it seems like the momentum is continuing."

Some Japanese visitors could be discouraged from traveling during the holiday season because Jan. 1 falls on a Sunday, which may shorten their vacations. Still, Japan's largest travel agency, JTB Corp., forecasts travel to Hawai'i from Dec. 23 to Jan. 3 will grow by 1.7 percent.

For tourism industry workers like Outrigger's Uchida, a busier season means working harder and longer hours. But Uchida, who has experienced the industry's ups and downs during his 14 years at the hotel, isn't complaining.

"Putting in 10 to 12 hours a day, it does take a toll, but I enjoy my job," he said.

Erna Baquiel, a 48-year-old cashier and waitress at the Waikiki Resort Hotel's Ilima Cafe, has seen more customers this winter and as a result takes home more tips. "We've been very busy," she said. "I can give better presents to my kids."

Shari Tachibana, a concierge at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, said the chemical scientists' conference that ends tomorrow is helping to bring more guests to the hotel. The six-day 2005 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (Pacifichem) has drawn at least 10,000 pre-registered delegates, many of them from Japan, according to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. Many also brought their families.

The conference was a "blessing," said Stan Engeldorf, general manager of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

"They came in right after the marathon," he said. "Without that we would be pretty slow. They don't leave until the 21st, and then we get into the holiday period. So this is a very merry Christmas for us."

Keith Vieira, senior vice president and director of operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawai'i and French Polynesia, said the company is seeing some smaller groups arrive before the teams and boosters for the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

"I think visitors seem to be used to the marathon dates in December and as a result know to book after it," he said, adding that an early cold winter on the Mainland helps.

David Carey, Outrigger Enterprises Inc. president and CEO, said hurricane damage in areas like the Caribbean and Florida probably contributed to the strong visitor numbers. He also credited the scientists' conference and marketing by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

"This is the strongest early December we've had in a long time," he said.

Some in Waikiki, however, are still waiting for business this winter to boom.

Kimberly Chun, a saleswoman at Cinnamon Girl in the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, said last December was busier with more Japanese tourists.

"Even with the marathon, it's still not as busy," she said.

The Cheesecake Factory in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center has been bustling, but business was still down about 4 percent for December so far, said general manager Charles Seidenstucker. Nonetheless, the restaurant is doing better overall this year compared to last year.

Although business may be patchy in some parts, tourism officials are upbeat about the winter season and expect continued improvement.

Hotels on all the islands seem to be looking at significant improvements in the first quarter of next year, said Joseph Toy, president of Hospitality Advisors LLC.

"I've heard some hoteliers telling me their bookings are as much as 15 to 16 percent higher, and that rates are rising faster than occupancy, which is reflective of the tight supply," he said.

The tourism authority is keeping an eye on the available hotel rooms, which could constrain growth, said Frank Haas, HTA's director of tourism marketing.

"But we don't see any issues with demand, with the possible exception of continued slowdown in the growth of the Japan market because of the (weakened) yen," he said.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.