HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0533.086 2000-2002
l4ay-24-OZ 04:51 pm From-CURRENT EVENTS T-435 P.Oi/01 F-T14
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~V>EHY I3n~Ail C(~IJN'INV>~S'il'S tiv 'r't~r~ V1Sl~~R INI98JSTHtY
The visita~r inelalstrv s®atte'lbutes ®ver S10 a~Illig>n to the cti>lta,~ettl~et.
The visitor industry, struggling with the devastating aftereffects of Septeanber 11, still
contributCd $10,582,000 to the County of l~lawaii budget in 2001 tbrougtl the Tr~lnsisddt
Accotdittiodations Tax (TAT). In 2000 this contributdon was $14,612,438 and
$12,779,7b 1 in 1999.
Alttaough 1"lawaii County witnessCd a drop in visitor arrivals, immediate loss of
employment, and resulting drop in tax revenuC post-Septednber 1 I, the impotRance of a
strops visitor industry to residents was underscored.
isl~>!~d visit®rs sps~d Aver S2 billi®n.
Visitor markCting efforts produ~:ed 1,183,OOS $ig Island arrivals in 2001. Spending
astirnate~ for these vi'iturs top $2 billion ($2,061,977,715). Tlie first four months of 2002
brought another 405,843 visitors to the Big Island and added another $411,427,52]; iii
spenddng. Fconorrldsts caleul~lte these visitor dollars move multiple cimCS through the
cotrlrn+inity.
Visit®€° iraduytrv drives his lsla>laci Jule grQVe~t.
The 2001 I3ig island Bata BoolC reveals an islandwide job count of 54,850 jobs
representing a growth of nearly 5,000 jobs in five years. Mast of thCSe new jobs are found
un the Big Island's west coast. First 4•iawaiian dank reports five titnes as many jobs err
aVallable Ort the West Coast Of the l~ig 1s1anL1 as ode the Cast C08St. This is s ~lirCCt
consequence of a strong, healthy visitor industry.
Visit®g lndtastrv icabs~$y Drell.
Recent statistics peg direct employment within the visitor industry at 6,422 individuals
averaging $25,503 in annual wages.
eel rceceerty tax reven>~es wear as a result ®f the visitor it~serv-
Real property tax rzvenuc in F1C •00-U1 was $82,769,000 and $91,017,000 in FY '01-02
amounting to a huge inc7easc of $8,248,004. The root of this increase is a atron$ vdsdior
ialdustry that spawns rtew construction in many sectors including residential, retail, and
eotxldnercial and grows islandwide agricultural production. Repeat visitors to a destination
often make lifestyle dccisloras to purchase second homes, significantly 4®ntributing to thz
tax base whelk rcquit~ng fewer services.
Comn-?. Nom ~ _ .
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