Isle theme-park
tallies plunge

Attendance is down by 15 to 20 percent
over 1997, a trade group says

Star-Bulletin staff

Attendance at Hawaii's theme parks and other tourist attractions so far this year is down 15 to 20 percent compared with the same period last year, according to a local trade group.

"The downward trend in Asian visitors to Hawaii is being felt by the attractions industry," said Lori Lum, president of the Hawaii Attractions Association, whose 20 members include the Polynesian Cultural Center, Sea Life Park and Bishop Museum.

"The reduction in numbers of travelers from Asia is further exacerbated by less spending among those who continue to travel to Hawaii," she said.

Another negative factor is an increase in the percentage of tourists who are repeat visitors to Hawaii, the association said. Repeat visitors often have been to Hawaii's big attractions before and don't feel the need to go again.

"Although there is a slight increase in tourists from North America, too many are repeat visitors to Hawaii and Oahu," said Darrell Metzger, chairman of the association and president of Atlantis Adventures, which runs Atlantis Submarines, Sea Life Park and Waimea Valley and Adventure Park.

What's needed is more state funding for tourism campaigns that will attract first-time visitors, the group said in a news release.