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Sustainable tourism proposals unveiled | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Posted on: Thursday, April 27, 2006

Sustainable tourism proposals unveiled

Advertiser Staff

Legalizing and better regulating bed-and-breakfast and vacation rentals, and preventing the over-development of tour operations, are among the recommendations of a state-financed study on sustainable tourism.

The final report, posted yesterday on the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Web site, looks at how to maintain the benefits of tourism while sustaining the quality of Hawai'i's natural resources, infrastructure and community. Officials decided to fund the $1.2 million project during the 2001 legislative session.

The report has dozens of recommendations. Among them:

  • Counties should explore legalizing and better regulating bed-and-breakfast and vacation rentals in certain neighborhoods.

  • Eco-tourism should be promoted while limiting "over-development" of tour operations.

  • Statewide wastewater problems should be studied.

  • Every harbor should be improved, particularly to accommodate the state's growing cruise-ship industry.

  • The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association should be given a voting seat on the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

    To view the Sustainable Tourism Project, see www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/visitor-stats/sustainable-tourism-project.
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