HI HCR165

Requests the Hawaii Tourism Authority to develop an implementation plan addressing tourism "hot spots" (overcrowded areas causing visitor congestion and resource degradation) identified in County Destination Management Action Plans.

Implementation plan must compile and prioritize issues from each island's plan, determine staffing and resources needed, establish job descriptions and consultant scopes of work, clarify the Hawaii Tourism Authority's role in resource distribution and outcome measurement, and develop a recommended implementation timetable.

Recognizes tourism's $17 billion economic contribution in 2018 but notes resident support for tourism benefits declined from 80 percent to 54 percent between 2010 and 2020 due to infrastructure strain and environmental concerns.

Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority to submit the implementation plan to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2022.

Acknowledges the COVID-19 pandemic reduced visitor arrivals from over 10 million in 2019 to 2.4 million in 2020 and presents an opportunity to restructure tourism management practices.