How much of Hawaii's income is from tourism?


How much of Hawaii's income is from tourism? Tourism represents roughly a quarter of Hawai'i's economy. In 2019, the visitor industry supported 216,000 jobs statewide, yielded nearly $17.8 billion in visitor spending, and contributed more than $2 billion in tax revenue to state coffers.


Do Hawaiians rely on tourism?

Yes, there is no doubt that tourism is the biggest economic factor in the islands. However, you might be surprised to find out that there are ZERO hotels owned & operated by anyone of Native Hawaiian descent on the island of O'ahu. There is only 1 on the Big Island of Hawai'i.


Where does the money from tourism in Hawaii go?

In 2019, the visitor industry supported 216,000 jobs statewide, yielded nearly $17.8 billion in visitor spending, and contributed more than $2 billion in tax revenue to state coffers. Without this influx of cash, a distressing number of local businesses will certainly close for good.


Is Hawaii too dependent on tourism?

By late 2020, 57% of residents who responded to a Hawaii Tourism Authority survey in September and October completely or strongly agreed that Hawaii was too dependent on tourism, up from 37% in 2019. Almost a third completely or strongly disagreed that their “island is run for tourists at expense of local people.”


Does tourism help or hurt Hawaii?

With that many visitors annually, the islands are forced to build infrastructure to house them, which means damaging the natural environment and wildlife. The tourism industry also affects the life of Hawaiian residents because their country is put on display and their culture is used as a marketing tool.


Is it possible to go to Hawaii on a budget?

If you want to save a bit of money on hotel prices, it pays to know the cheapest time to travel. During the off-season, from September to early December and from February to early April, you can often score lower prices than you would during the summer months. You can also stay in Hawaii's less expensive areas.


Can Hawaii survive without tourism?

The industry's defenders argue that tourism, for all of the issues it creates, is still a major asset for the people who call Hawaii home. They say the state simply couldn't survive without the billions of dollars in spending and tax revenue that travelers bring into the islands every year.


Is it ethical to move to Hawaii?

Moving to Hawaii ethically is something that is difficult to accomplish. Taking up housing and driving up prices leaves natives struggling. While many realize stopping people from moving to Hawaii all together is impossible, there are still ways to be respectful and try to help the community.


Is Hawaii tourism back to normal?

While the pandemic pummeled Hawaii in its early stages, the Aloha State's tourism industry is back, and by some metrics, bigger than ever. The number of tourists from the U.S. mainland is higher than it was before the pandemic — and average spending per trip is also higher.


Which countries visit Hawaii the most?

Hawaii, for example, is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers from the United States and Japan and many of its inhabitants have long been critical of the islands' booming tourism industry.