HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0177.176 1998-2000
SEAT BY~REaLTY IV'VEST11[:A'T : 6- 7-99 : 2:57P}1 8089358099 9618912: 1' 1
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Hilo,~u~aiR96 in '99 JUN 7 P!~ 3 06
June 7, 1999 f, CO!~,AIj~, ~ , Fn,.
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Mr. James Arakaki, Chairman
and Council Memhers
Hawaii County Cwncil
?5 AUpUlll 3[rcct
Hilo, Hi 96720
bear Chairman Arakaki and Council Members:
Re: Bill No. 45, Draft 2, Operating Budget Adjustments
During the past two years, Hawau Cwnty has ~9tnessed resurgence in our long-stagnant, vital visitor
industr}'. Visitor arrivals were on the rise in 1997 and throughout 1998. Tltis growth is the reeult of years
of dlligeut work and determination on the part of government and private industry. Unfortunately, the
recession in Japan has taken its toll on visitar counts for 1999.
"11te Big Island visit<u Bureau and rite Big Island Croup have stepped up marketing and promotional
efforts in both the east attd west bwnd segments to protect market share and counterbalance this trend.
Particular taus has been placed on expanding the number of duect air seats to the Big Island and nfferine
aluaotive packaging in the niche markets.
As you know, Ivlaui County has experienced strong growUt over a long period of lime through the
comrtu[mcnt [o fund tourism marketing at $3 million The Big island can ill afford to have its market
share further eroded by cuts to the Hawaii County budget line item for untrism promotirnts.
t» fcxiay's highly competitive market. it is imperative that no cuts be made to marketing dollars for
tourism promotion. It is an unwise and short-sighted decision to overcome budget sh<mfalls by cutting
those line items that have proven W generate additional revenue for our big island.
Please do not ac ceps Council tnembcx Yagong's proposed budget cut to tourism marketing. I urge yctu to
support the visitor industry by restoring full fwtding.
Sinc~e`r~chp~_
D. W. Aose
Chairman, Big Island Visitor $ureau
fJWR/gwn
Comm. Na ' ~ 7 • / 7~
PSIe No._B Up
Ref. To:P'eseated CovN~,~
Ref. Date____N____ 8 19SQ .,,q„