It is no surprise to many that Hawaii’s tourism industry has had issues in recent years. Visitors have gentrified the islands of Hawaii and even disrespected the land and locals. There is much that can be improved, with leaders and locals considering many measures to fix these issues. These solutions intend to promote the safety and economic well-being of locals. Local leaders have even removed disturbances to the peace in the past for these reasons. However, a recent bill has been added to help enhance tourism experiences on both sides. Here is what we know about the new tourism bill aimed at promoting sustainability and preserving Native Hawaiian culture.
The Regenerative Tourism Bill
On June 29, the Hawaii Tourism Authority announced that the bill was signed into law. Leadership in the organization, legislative leaders, and community members joined together as Governor Josh Green, M.D. signed the tourism bill. This bill brings a new framework for the Hawaii State Planning Act and Tourism Functional Plan. The initiative directly impacts visitors so it is a pivotal move in the tourism industry that will hopefully help with issues in the state. The new bill encourages sustainable tourism while helping Hawaiian natives and ecosystems recuperate from overtourism.
Sustainability Efforts In Hawaii
There are several things that the new bill will do for the state. One of the efforts that the government is hoping the bill will support is decreasing the ecological footprint of Hawaii. This means that the protection and prioritization of beaches, reefs, and wildlife in Hawaii are integral to the new changes. Community efforts to preserve both the cultural and natural resources of Hawaii will also get better support. The natural environment will be protected from the detrimental impacts of tourism traffic.
Another important aspect of the bill is supporting local community members. Entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and local spots in Hawaii will benefit from the bill. The bill will help place Hawaii’s businesses at the top of the economic chain so that profit from tourism can benefit locals more. This initiative also includes minimizing the state’s dependence on tourism, which typically accounts for a big portion of the profit made on the islands. Hawaii’s people will also see an improvement in the aid for better career mobility. Job training and education will be available for those in the tourism industry, which is an improvement.
What Travelers Can Expect
Visitors should expect more strict guidelines and regulations for interacting with the natural environment of Hawaii. This may mean taxes or fees for entering protected areas or potential visitor capacities. The law does not explain specific steps that Hawaii will take to accomplish these objectives. This should make it clear to tourists that the bill is simply the first step of future changes. Travelers should expect additional changes in the future so that Hawaii’s tourism industry will be more sustainable.
