STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1961

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.R. No. 262

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Tourism & Culture, to which was referred H.R. No. 262 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM AND THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO INCREASE THEIR MARKETING EFFORTS IN THE NICHE MARKET OF HERITAGE TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to promote Hawaii's unique cultural heritage by requesting the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to increase its marketing efforts in the niche market of heritage tourism.

     Daughters of Hawaii supported this measure.  DBEDT supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) submitted comments.

     Your Committee notes that HTA annually supports over 130 projects through its Festivals and Events and Product Enrichment Programs.  Many of these projects focus on cultural and heritage tourism, and provide visitors with activities that promote Hawaii's unique culture.  Your Committee finds that HTA and DBEDT should continue to work together to maintain and expand these types of programs for the benefit of our visitor industry and for our state as a whole.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism & Culture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 262 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism & Culture,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair