Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Photo courtesy Hawaii Forest & Trail
Tourism
The county and its residents strongly believe that if Hawaii Island is a good place to live, it will also be a good place for people to visit. Hawaii Island Tourism Strategic Plan 2006 – 2015
Under the direction of the Hawaii Tourism Authority [hawaiitourismauthority.org], the state’s lead agency for Hawaii’s visitor industry, Hawaii Island stakeholders came together in 2005 to chart the industry’s course for the next decade. Key tenets of that Hawaii Island Tourism Strategic Plan 2006-2015:
- Tourism touches nearly all aspects of life in Hawaii and is the primary source of revenue for the community through visitor expenditures and tourism-related capital investment.
- The Hawaiian culture is what makes Hawaii, the state, the island unique for both residents and visitors. This indigenous culture must be retained and perpetuated for future generations.
- The natural environment of Hawaii Island is inextricably linked to Hawaiian culture, thereby linking the preservation and protection of the environment to perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
Tourism Vision Statement
Tourism on Hawaii Island will:
- Honor the people and heritage of Hawaii Island;
- Support and enhance the quality of life for residents;
- Value and perpetuate natural and cultural resources;
- Engender mutual respect and partnership among all stakeholders, including future generations;
- Support a vital and sustainable economy; and
- Provide a unique, memorable and enriching visitor experience.
Visitor Statistics*
In 2012, Hawaii Island welcomed 1.4 million visitors to the island who spent over $1.7 billion, an average of $164 per person per day. Two out of three were repeat visitors.
U.S. West continued to send the most visitors to Hawaii Island in 2012 (40%), followed by U.S. East (27%), Japan (14%) and Canada (7%).
Three out of five visitors to Hawaii Island stay in hotels, 19% stay in condominiums, 11% in timeshare properties, 10% with friends or relatives, and 8% stay in rental homes.
Air Seats (2012)
Kona: Domestic 612,347
Kona: International 21,439
Hilo: Domestic 59,163
*2012 Annual Visitor Research Report, HTA