SB 1522 - Office of Destination Management

• Establishes an Office of Destination Management within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, governed by a 9-member board of directors with representation from each county, hospitality, airline, retail, Hawaiian culture, and agriculture sectors.

• Transfers all functions, duties, appropriations, and positions from the Hawaii Tourism Authority to the new Office of Destination Management and repeals the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

• Requires the Office of Destination Management to develop a strategic tourism management plan incorporating best practice destination management and regenerative tourism, and to implement county-specific destination management action plans.

• Establishes a tourism liaison officer position within the office of the governor to serve as liaison between the governor and tourism agencies and to advise on tourism policy and strategic planning.

• Appropriates funds for the Office of Destination Management and tourism liaison officer positions for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.