On their way back to re-open their tourism business, the Hawaii Tourism Authority with acronyms HTA, has made a public call for input and ideas from the island communities about how the state and counties can successfully restart tourism.
This announcement invites locals to take the chance and let their voices be heard on the topics of Hawaii’s wider cultural and environmental needs, destination management, and community prioritization.
Through its Community-Based Tourism Program and also in line with the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, one of HTA’s newest idea is to establish Destination Management Action Plans (DMAP), one specifically for each county.
This being set, each county needs to govern its long-term requirements surrounding tourism and point out a careful balance between the industry’s economic benefits and its impact on cultural and natural resources, local services, and the quality of life of the residents.
In this case, the partnership with county governments and particular bureaus, the so-called new “steering committees”, includes residents whom have to represent their communities. This was one of the main reason to assemble such committees, to get involved in serious decision-making.
Through a series of interactive, virtual meetings held on the dates outlined below via Zoom from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the public could also be told of these ideas rose from these director committees. Although, participants need to sign up, due to the limitation of the space.
This online meeting will soon be posted on HTA’s website for the members who were not able to appear. The public will also have the chance to evaluate proposals and give feedback by a webform on HTA’s Community-Based Tourism website. Proposed actions for Kauai will become available to view online starting the week of October 15 and the week of October 19 for Maui Nui.