HTA takes new
plan on the road

The Tourism Authority is
seeking the public's input
on its proposed strategy

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Starting with an evening session at the Convention Center on July 13, the Hawaii Tourism Authority is taking its new strategic plan on the road for public comment.

A series of two-hour public meetings will be held around the state through the rest of July.

Diane Quitiquit, HTA chairwoman, said the panel contacted more than 5,000 individuals in the community, as well as more than 2,200 in government, business and community organizations in developing its plan.

"As part of our strategic planning efforts, we will now begin taking this plan back to the island communities for their review and additional input," she said.

Quitiquit said that after the public meetings, the HTA will develop plans and implement strategies to boost the tourism industry's contribution to Hawaii's economy.

In laying out its initial plan last week, the HTA set a goal of boosting visitor spending in Hawaii by 35 percent by the year 2005.

The group said this should be done not by merely boosting the number of visitors but by enhancing the experience for visitors so they stay longer and spend more money.

The HTA's island-by-island schedule for public meetings is:

Oahu: July 13 at the Hawaii Convention Center; July 20 at Windward Community College; and July 27 at Leeward Community College. All will start at 7 p.m.
Maui: July 14 at the Sheraton Maui in Kaanapali; July 15 at Maui Community College in Kahului. Both start at 5 p.m.
Kauai: July 21 in the Lihue Civic Center, starting at 5 p.m.
Molokai: Kaunakakai Elementary on July 23 at 5 p.m.
Lanai: Lanai High and Elementary School July 26. at 5 p.m.
Big Island: July 28 at the Aston Keauhou Beach Resort; and July 29 at the University of Hawaii Hilo campus. Both start at 7 p.m.

Copies of the strategic plan and two corresponding study reports will be available to the public starting July 8 at the HTA office on the fourth floor of One Capitol Plaza (also known as the Hemmeter Building) at 250 S. Hotel St.

HTA officials said the reports also will be available later on the Internet, at the HTA's web site, www.hawaii.gov/tourism.