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Forget US Tourists: Hawaii Lures Euros

State escapes slowdown by casting net wider for visitors

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted May 13, 2008 9:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – Domestic tourism is slowing down in the US as economic worries mount, but Hawaii appears to be surfing a wave of diversification through the downturn, the Wall Street Journal reports. Numbers of visitors from Canada, Europe, and some East Asian countries are picking up and offsetting a drop in tourists from Japan and the eastern US.

The island state decided to cast its net wider for visitors after the '90s downturn in Japan hit its tourism industry hard. Hawaii started marketing itself in new areas and added flights to new destinations. A new visa-free agreement with South Korea started last month. "When you are an island, you do not want to be overly dependent on one tourism market," noted Hawaii's governor.

Hotel occupancy is up 1.5% in Hawaii year-on-year, contrasting with a 4.6% drop nationwide in the US.
Hotel occupancy is up 1.5% in Hawaii year-on-year, contrasting with a 4.6% drop nationwide in the US.   (KRT Photos)
Athletes challenge the gigantic waves on Oahu's North Shore during the winter months.
Athletes challenge the gigantic waves on Oahu's North Shore during the winter months.   (KRT Photos)
A boy leaps from a 2-story cliff into Oahu's Waimea Bay in Hawaii. Hawaii has managed to largely avoid a recent slowdown in US tourism.
A boy leaps from a 2-story cliff into Oahu's Waimea Bay in Hawaii. Hawaii has managed to largely avoid a recent slowdown in US tourism.   (KRT Photos)
Tourism is thriving in Hawaii but the state is not immune from economic worries. Soaring fuel prices recently forced Aloha Airlines into bankruptcy.
Tourism is thriving in Hawaii but the state is not immune from economic worries. Soaring fuel prices recently forced Aloha Airlines into bankruptcy.   (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii is saying 'Aloha' hellos to tourists from South Korea and Canada while saying 'Aloha' goodbyes to tourists from Japan and the eastern US.
Hawaii is saying 'Aloha' hellos to tourists from South Korea and Canada while saying 'Aloha' goodbyes to tourists from Japan and the eastern US.   (Magnum Photos)
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