HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0533.080 2000-2002 THE OECHID ~ ~ ~ `
A'1' FAUNA LAN! "
ladnnd of flnu~rti'i
May 24, 2402
Dear Council Chair Arakaki and Mterlbers cyf the County Council:
The importance of the visitor industry to the Big Island's ecanarr,y cannot bt averstacesi. Ir, cte
aftermath of the Septerraber 1 Y tragedy, we understand a!! taa well the irnrncdiate cripgling effects
of a tourism downturn. People, workers, families witl, ck,ildren, and farrriers all look tcl the visitclr
industry for jobs, for financial security, fur income to pay for rr,ortgages, rents, groceries anti
healthcare. We cannot Iet Chest residents of Hawai' i County dawn.
A vibrant visitor industry creates an ecanornic climate that nurtures residents. When
ernployrnent rises, crone statistics decline. Whet, visitor spending increasts, sa tau dots du
ptrsor,al incorrle of $ig Island workers. When restaurants ace full, farrr,ers benefit. When tourists
buy souvenirs, shopkeepers bentfit. Wlien Eiatels are full, rever~ves to the county increase
through the TAT tax. Visitors contribute aver $10 millicn anr?ually to the county in "I'AT
revenues.
Ar,d we arannrit forget the indirect jobs that service the visitor industry. niversifted agriculture
succeeds with a strong visitor industry. The Big Island's flower, papaya, coffee, cropical fruit and
vegetable farmers depend on hotels, restaurants, Cruise ships and individual visitors to buy their
products. `T°~iere is not one industry that is not tied in surne way to tl-,e success of the visitor
industry.
Wt art beginrair~g tv regain the visitor industry morner~turn lost aftEr September 11. Your
support of visitor industry funding is crucial to the full ecanarr,ic recover of the Big Island.
more than ~vtr~thc visitor industry arLd government must work toberher to provide fur a healthy,
sustainable ecanc~mic enviranmer,t.
I strongly urge you to continue to support funding far tt,c Pig lslarul Visitors bureau and tree Big
Island Group.
Pest regards,
bIarcis L). Chan
General Manager
The Orchid at Mauna Lani
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