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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: May 19, 1997 Re: Comm. No. 277 <br /> <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> <br /> TIME: 10:40 A.M. <br /> Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 79, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 79, transmitted by Finance Committee Chair Aaron Chung, via Communication <br /> <br /> No. 277, dated April 24, 1997, supports the establishment of a Korean Visa waiver program. <br /> Due to the current time-consuming visa processing procedures, the growth of Korean travel to <br /> the United States has not kept pace with travel to non-United States destinations. These alternate <br /> destinations do not currently require Koreans entering their countries to have a visa, thus <br /> providing them with a major competitive advantage. <br /> The United States Congress, through H.R. No. 627 and S. No. 290, is considering the <br /> establishment of a three-year visa waiver pilot program that would allow nationals of Korea <br /> traveling in tour groups admission to the United States without a visa. <br /> The establishment of this visa waiver program would help to expand Hawaii's visitor industry <br /> and would especially assist the County of Hawaii's efforts to bring direct flights from the <br /> Republic of Korea to Keahole-Kona. The Hawaii Visitor's Bureau predicts that a visa waiver <br /> program for Koreans traveling to Hawaii would result in 8% to 29% incremental growth in <br /> arrivals and expenditures which equates to between $35 and $38 million in additional visitor <br /> spending. <br /> Since Hawaii's travel and tourism industry is and will continue to be the State's largest and most <br /> important industry for the foreseeable future, efforts to support and promote the industry should <br /> be intensified. <br /> Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 79 and <br /> recommends its adoption. <br /> Ikc <br /> Ayes Noes A&E EX <br /> Respectfully submitted <br /> CHUNG X <br /> LEITHEAD-TOno x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> RAY X ~/1~;~ <br /> SANTANGELO X .'/~`'./7~~ <br /> i <br /> SMITH X <br /> TvLER X AARON S.Y. CHUNG, C IR <br /> vncoNC X FC REPORT NO. 86 <br /> ARAxAKt,E.o.,>7 x ADOPTED: ,uiN 0 2 1991 <br /> <br />