HCR84

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	84
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

requesting the Hawaii tourism authority and the department of business, economic development, and Tourism to initiate measures that promote alternative visitor accommodations as well as techno, educational, and cultural tourism niches.

WHEREAS, Hawaii's future economic prosperity may depend on its willingness to diversify and explore new areas of potential growth; and

WHEREAS, the tourism industry, which is generally perceived as being geared towards leisure travelers housed in large, centralized resorts and resort areas such as Waikiki, Turtle Bay, Lahaina, and Kona, offers opportunities outside of these narrowly defined parameters; and

WHEREAS, alternative accommodations such as bed and breakfast venues and other nontraditional arrangements represent one potential niche industry; and

WHEREAS, other niche industries with potential for profitable growth include techno, educational, and cultural tourism-based activities; and

WHEREAS, examples of niche industries include beachfront bed and breakfast accommodations and tour packages based on the exploration of native Hawaiian culture and history, as well as activities such as agricultural tourism and exploration of Hawaii's promising technologies in areas such as geothermal energy and astronomy; and

WHEREAS, strategic marketing plans and proposals developed by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) in the past have not fully explored the potential of these niche industries; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that HTA is requested to expand the scope of its marketing efforts to include the promotion of techno, educational, and cultural tourism-based activities as well as alternative accommodations which represent potential niche industries for Hawaii's tourism-based economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DBEDT establish the Alternative Accommodations and Educational and Cultural Tourism Task Force (Task Force) to:

(1) Survey the scope of alternative accommodations and educational and cultural tourism practices in Hawaii;

(2) Describe existing practices for regulating and marketing alternative accommodations and educational and cultural tourism in Hawaii;

(3) Identify existing forums for communication within and between the alternative accommodations and educational and cultural tourism industries;

(4) Identify new means of encouraging discussion and communication within and between the alternative accommodations and educational and cultural tourism industries, including consideration of the use of the state website; and

(5) Identify changes and new strategies in the business community, and regulatory and marketing environments, that would support the development of these industries, including partnerships between the private and public sector;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of DBEDT choose the members for this Task Force including at least one representative from each of the following:

(1) Bed and breakfast establishments;

(2) Private alternative accommodations providers other than bed and breakfast establishments;

(3) Public alternative accommodations providers other than bed and breakfast establishments;

(4) Private educational and cultural tourism providers;

(5) Public educational and cultural tourism providers;

(6) Organizations with expertise in Native Hawaiian culture, traditions, and practices;

(7) Environmental organizations;

(8) The University of Hawaii (UH);

(9) HTA;

(10) Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

(11) County land-use and permitting agencies involved in regulating bed and breakfast establishments;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based on the findings of the Task Force, HTA is requested to develop goals and objectives on these potential niche industries for possible inclusion into its strategic tourism marketing plan in the near future; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force cease to operate after June 30, 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, President of the University of Hawaii, Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Executive Director of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Mayors of each county in the State of Hawaii.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Requesting HTA and DBEDT to promote alternative tourism initiatives.