Spread the love

Post Views: 26

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has been in the spotlight recently, with proposed legislation dissolving the semi-autonomous state agency. But industry experts urge policymakers not to eliminate the HTA, arguing that it plays a critical role in managing the visitor industry and driving economic recovery.

In an editorial in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the HTA is praised as a visible lead agency responsible for overseeing the unpredictable visitor industry and being directly accountable to the public. The article warns that dissolving the HTA and subsuming it into a state department would make it more opaque and difficult to manage.

New Holomua website

The editorial comes as lawmakers consider House Bill 1375 and Senate Bill 1522, which would dissolve the HTA. John De Fries, President and CEO of HTA, has been vocal in opposing the bills, warning that they could risk the future of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry.

Speaking at the Travel Weekly Hawai‘i Leadership Forum, De Fries argued that the HTA was created 25 years ago to “take the politics out of the (tourism) industry” and repealing HTA would be a step backward.

De Fries also highlighted the importance of the community in destination management, saying that locals have vital knowledge and information that can be tapped to promote sustainable tourism.

The HTA has also been busy with its ongoing destination management and visitor education initiatives. At the Spring Tourism Update, the agency unveiled its new Holomua website, showcasing how HTA works with state agencies, counties, visitor bureaus, industry partners, and communities to advance destination management and stewardship.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, HTA remains committed to driving economic recovery through tourism. The agency has vital work to do in the coming weeks and months, including promoting visitor education and implementing sustainable tourism practices.

As the debate over the HTA’s future continues, industry experts are urging policymakers to consider the critical role that the agency plays in managing Hawai‘i’s visitor industry and driving economic growth.