Hawaii commits to tourism growth with new funding
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has announced a $6.3 million investment to bolster the state's tourism industry, which has been grappling with the economic fallout from the Maui wildfires in August 2023 and bracing for potential disruptions from the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The allocated funds will be channeled through the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) to finance a promotional campaign. This initiative aims to build upon the state's ongoing economic recovery efforts in Maui.
"The Maui wildfires have had a lasting impact on our state's tourism sector, and we continue to see low hotel occupancy rates in West Maui," stated James Kunane Tokioka, head of the DBEDT. "With the added anticipation of reduced visitor numbers due to the Los Angeles wildfires, this tourism recovery campaign is designed to stimulate visitor traffic, which is crucial for supporting local businesses and jobs."
DBEDT data reveals that Los Angeles is Hawaii's most significant visitor source, representing 9.1% of all arrivals in 2024 and a substantial 30.2% of all visitors from California.
The funding, drawn from the DBEDT's current budget, was released at Director Tokioka's request.
