Hawaii looks to Far East
As Hawaiian tourism dips, officials there are courting tourists from South Korea and China to help boos the island state’s economy. The Associated Press reports that nearly 7.4 million visitors came to the islands last year, a drop of 1.2 percent from 2006. The decline can be attributed, at least in part, to fewer repeat visitors from Japan. As fuel costs increase, leading to higher ticket prices, these tourists are seeking cheaper destinations, such as Taiwan, Marsha Wienert, state tourism liaison, told the AP. Tourism officials hope that by the end of this year or next, South Korean tourists will qualify for visa waivers, which will help encourage tourism. “We are very optimistic once Korea becomes a visa waiver country … that Hawaii will reap major benefits where tourism is concerned,” Wienert said.
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