UHERO report highlights gaps between industry, resident, and visitor views of tourism
A new UHERO study finds tourism executives, residents, and visitors often see Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry very differently, from workforce challenges to the meaning of “regenerative tourism.”
Honolulu, Oʻahu
Source: UHERO
Tourism in Hawai‘i: Industry Views and Stakeholder Comparisons, a new report from The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO), compared the perspectives of tourism executives, residents, and visitors on Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry.
Resident attitudes remains skeptical, with barely half agreeing that tourism brings more benefits than problems — a sharp decline over the past two decades ago. Meanwhile, visitor surveys often highlight satisfaction with their experiences, pointing to a disconnect between those who live in Hawaiʻi, those who visit, and those who profit from the industry.
Interviews with 19 executives raised concerns about competitiveness, housing-linked labor shortages, and uncertainty around the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s mission and funding. Many admitted confusion over what “regenerative tourism” really means, and worried it could drive visitors away.
Click here to read the full report.
💭 Who defines regenerative tourism and what it looks like for Hawaiʻi?
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