HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 086 05/19/1997 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: May 19, 1997 Re: Comm. No. 277
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 10:40 A.M.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 79, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 79, transmitted by Finance Committee Chair Aaron Chung, via Communication
No. 277, dated April 24, 1997, supports the establishment of a Korean Visa waiver program.
Due to the current time-consuming visa processing procedures, the growth of Korean travel to
the United States has not kept pace with travel to non-United States destinations. These alternate
destinations do not currently require Koreans entering their countries to have a visa, thus
providing them with a major competitive advantage.
The United States Congress, through H.R. No. 627 and S. No. 290, is considering the
establishment of a three-year visa waiver pilot program that would allow nationals of Korea
traveling in tour groups admission to the United States without a visa.
The establishment of this visa waiver program would help to expand Hawaii's visitor industry
and would especially assist the County of Hawaii's efforts to bring direct flights from the
Republic of Korea to Keahole-Kona. The Hawaii Visitor's Bureau predicts that a visa waiver
program for Koreans traveling to Hawaii would result in 8% to 29% incremental growth in
arrivals and expenditures which equates to between $35 and $38 million in additional visitor
spending.
Since Hawaii's travel and tourism industry is and will continue to be the State's largest and most
important industry for the foreseeable future, efforts to support and promote the industry should
be intensified.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 79 and
recommends its adoption.
Ikc
Ayes Noes A&E EX
Respectfully submitted
CHUNG X
LEITHEAD-TOno x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
RAY X ~/1~;~
SANTANGELO X .'/~`'./7~~
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SMITH X
TvLER X AARON S.Y. CHUNG, C IR
vncoNC X FC REPORT NO. 86
ARAxAKt,E.o.,>7 x ADOPTED: ,uiN 0 2 1991