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Uncertain future for Hawaii Tourism Authority
The end of the Hawaii Tourism Authority looks to be getting closer.
State lawmakers approved a bill that left the Hawaii Tourism Authority out of any state funding.
The bill did contain $64 million for major repairs to the state-owned Hawaii Convention Center.
The bill HB 1375 specifically aims to shut down the HTA.
“Due to mismanagement, the award of a $34m contract for the marketing of Hawaii has been in a state of uncertainty since 2021,” it states.
This situation has demonstrated the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s non-compliance with the Hawaii public procurement code.”
“The legislature finds it appropriate to dissolve the Hawaii Tourism Authority.”
The bill calls for a new entity called the Office of Tourism and Destination Management.
This new agency would be governed by a nine-member board and an executive director.
The central issue with legislators is overtourism.
Many believe the HTA has concentrated too much on destination promotion which has led to overtourism concerns.
State officials now want the emphasis to be on destination management.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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