An airline executive believes Hawaii isn’t doing enough to make Chinese visitors feel welcome in the state’s tourist areas.
Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley said Hawaii must do more to prepare for the expected wave of Chinese visitors, noting a recent survey that said Chinese tourists do not perceive Hawaii as a friendly destination.
Dunkerley was addressing a retailer’s convention following the start of the airline’s three weekly nonstop flights to Beijing.
"For us to be a good destination for Chinese visitors, the level at which Mandarin-speaking services are available in the community has got to expand dramatically," Dunkerley said.
"The Chinese represent the economic salvation of the state tourism business over the long term and I’m talking about 10 years and 20 years from now," he added.
He cited a shortage of mid- and low-priced hotels, and a lack of Mandarin speakers.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority recently announced a 3% fall in visitor arrivals for the first quarter of 2014 but projected growth is expected in the Chinese market.
Chinese visitors continue to be the highest spenders in Hawaii, at an average of $411 per person per day according to the latest tourism data.
