Tourism Authority Receives $2M for Asia-Pacific Marketing

Children enjoy luau festivities. Photo by Moriah Diamond.

By Sonia Isotov

The 2012 Hawaii State Legislature approved an additional $2 million for fiscal years 2013 through 2015 for the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

The funds will be used for the HTA to put forth additional marketing efforts and increase Hawaii’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Mahalo to the House and Senate who unanimously voted in support of SB 490 that will provide the HTA with the additional funds,” said Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer of the HTA, in a written statement.

“Their unwavering leadership will help to diversify Hawaii’s tourism economy and make us more globally competitive.”

The HTA anticipates continued growth throughout the region, with arrivals from Other Asia (China, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore) targeted to increase 58.7% and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) 11.1% in 2012.

And while Japan is a mature market to Hawaii’s visitor industry, it is the largest international market and the HTA anticipates arrivals to reach 1.3 million visitors this year, up 12.4% over last year.

“We will work closely with our marketing partners, Hawaii Tourism Japan, Hawaii Tourism Asia and Hawaii Tourism Oceania to build on the momentum and growth in recent years,” added McCartney.

“This investment will support jobs, grow tax revenues and solidify Hawaii’s position and presence in the increasingly important Asia-Pacific region.”

The HTA is focusing its efforts to further positioning Hawaii not only as a leisure destination, but an ideal place to conduct business, while also capitalizing on Hawaii’s strategic location connecting the Asia-Pacific.

Photo courtesy of picsonmaui.com