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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2642 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. On January 19, 2012, President Obama signed an executive order and announced new initiatives to significantly increase travel and tourism in the United States. According to the United States Department of Commerce, international travel resulted in $134,000,000,000 in United States exports in 2010 and is the nation's largest service export industry, accounting for seven per cent of total exports and twenty-four per cent of service exports. The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that every additional sixty-five international visitors to the United States can generate enough exports to support one additional travel and tourism-related job. According to the travel industry and Bureau of Economic Analysis, international travel is particularly important, as travelers from overseas spend on average $4,000 during each visit.
The legislature finds that these initiatives to increase travel and tourism in the United States will be highly beneficial to Hawaii's tourism economy and will advance efforts to help provide up to an estimated 154,000 jobs in Hawaii. With 2.4 million international visitors arriving in Hawaii each year, Honolulu is the fifth busiest United States point-of-entry. The executive order will ease access for international travelers – a boon for Hawaii with its proximity to the growing Asia market. China in particular is an emerging market for Hawaii's tourism industry, with unprecedented growth potential. Visitor arrivals from China to Hawaii are expected to reach 125,394 in 2012, twenty-eight per cent higher than arrivals in 2011, with each visitor expected to spend $380 per day, which is higher than any other market. The initiatives to increase the number of Chinese visas processed, and ensuring that visa applicants are interviewed within three weeks, are significant milestones for Chinese tourism to the United States and Hawaii.
In addition, visa waiver status for Taiwan has tremendous potential for the State's tourism industry. Following the visa waiver program with Korea in 2008, arrivals from Korea increased thirty-five per cent, and similar growth is anticipated with Taiwanese visitors. Tourism continues to be the largest generator of jobs in Hawaii and these initiatives will help to stimulate job growth for residents.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the Hawaii tourism authority to take advantage of new initiatives for increased travel and tourism in the United States to further establish Hawaii as a global destination and benefit the State's economy.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for development and implementation of initiatives to take advantage of expanded visa programs and increased travel opportunities for international visitors to Hawaii.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii tourism authority for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2012.
Report Title:
Hawaii Tourism Authority; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates an unspecified sum for the Hawaii tourism authority for fiscal year 2012-2013 for initiatives to take advantage of expanded visa programs and increased travel opportunities for international visitors to Hawaii. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.