HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0177.174 1998-2000
FRR~: ~OLCPLO INN PHONE N0. Jun. 87 1999 10:39PM P7
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P.O. Box 490 ' 99 JUN Z P(~ 12 30
Volcano Village, Volcano, Hawaii 96785 , r -
On Island 967-7293 /Off Island (800) 997-2292 CCU"T' C' _ _ _
FAX (808) 985-7349 COUNTY Gr HF~W,~I!
lVeb site. httpJ!ww~ty volcanoinn,com
Email: volcano~volcanoinn.com
lames Y Arakaki, Chairman
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 June 7, 1999
Re Bill \ro 45, Draft 2, Operating Budget Adjusunents
y'v'ithin the past two years, Hawaii County has witnessed a resureence in our long stagnant visitor
industry Visitor counts were on the rise in the second half of `97 and throughout `98. This
~ro«th is the result of decades of hard work and determination on the part of government and
pri~~ate industry Unfortunately, the sputtering economy in Japan has taken its toll on visit counts
for 1999
The Big Island Visitors Burear and the Bia Island Crroup have stepped up marketing and
promotional effort in both the east and westbound segments to protect market share and
counterbalance :his trend. Particular focus has been placed on expanding the number of direct atr
seats to the destination and offering attractive packaging in the niche markets.
As you know, Viaui County has experienced strong gro«,th over a lengthy period through its
commitment to funding tourism marketing at over $3 million. The B;, Island can ill afford to
have its market share further eroded by cuts to the Hawaii County budget line item for tourism
prott;otiar.
In today's highly competitiae marketplace, it is imperative that no cuts be made to marketing
dollars for tow ism promotion. It is an unwise and short-sighted decision to overcome budget
shortfalls b}~ cutting those line items t ~ n raft' ndditionakrevenue
Please do not accept Council member Dominic Yagong's proposed 43% budget cut to tourism
marketing. I urge you to support the visitor industry by restoring full funding
S leer ly, ~
Ioa resc rt-L' ter, n eper ~7
Crtn n. .v o.
File No. B V ~
Ref. Tot P~es°nfed COUNLIL
Ref. Date ,A1N 8 1999