Impact of Tourism on Hawaii
The Environmental Impact of Tourism on Hawaii and its Natives
By: Rylee Blair
As skiers, hikers, sightseers, beachgoers and travelers pack their bags and head out for their vacations, they probably never even consider that what they are about to embark upon happens to be the largest industry in the world. Millions of people travel domestically and internationally each year to experience places and things that are totally out of their ordinary lifestyle and to get their minds off the hustle bustle of everyday life. Because of Hawaii’s year-round tropical climates, cultural experiences and leisurely atmosphere, it is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts over 9 million visitors each year. Marine and coastal tourism is also one of the fastest growing areas within the tourism industry, which makes Hawaii an even more popular destination. Hawaii is comprised of eight major islands, but only six are typically known for being regular tourist destinations. Known as the “Paradise of the Pacific,” the landscape of Hawaii consists of beautiful sandy beaches, majestic mountains, large stretches of lava beds, breathtaking cliffs and canyons, lush rainforests and much more. In the past, tourists visiting Hawaii were happy to sit on the beach with a tropical drink while getting a suntan; however, tourists today expect more when they travel, and they want a more authentic and cultural experience. As I’m sure you can imagine with millions of visitors each year, tourism is a major contributor to the Hawaiian economy. Tourism related businesses generated almost $14 billion dollars to the Hawaiian economy in 2012. Since Hawaii is a remote destination, virtually everybody and everything on the island is interconnected and is affected by the tourism industry. It would seem that the residents of Hawaii would embrace the tourism industry for obvious reasons; however, many native Hawaiians do not feel that the tourism industry contributes to or betters
By: Rylee Blair
As skiers, hikers, sightseers, beachgoers and travelers pack their bags and head out for their vacations, they probably never even consider that what they are about to embark upon happens to be the largest industry in the world. Millions of people travel domestically and internationally each year to experience places and things that are totally out of their ordinary lifestyle and to get their minds off the hustle bustle of everyday life. Because of Hawaii’s year-round tropical climates, cultural experiences and leisurely atmosphere, it is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts over 9 million visitors each year. Marine and coastal tourism is also one of the fastest growing areas within the tourism industry, which makes Hawaii an even more popular destination. Hawaii is comprised of eight major islands, but only six are typically known for being regular tourist destinations. Known as the “Paradise of the Pacific,” the landscape of Hawaii consists of beautiful sandy beaches, majestic mountains, large stretches of lava beds, breathtaking cliffs and canyons, lush rainforests and much more. In the past, tourists visiting Hawaii were happy to sit on the beach with a tropical drink while getting a suntan; however, tourists today expect more when they travel, and they want a more authentic and cultural experience. As I’m sure you can imagine with millions of visitors each year, tourism is a major contributor to the Hawaiian economy. Tourism related businesses generated almost $14 billion dollars to the Hawaiian economy in 2012. Since Hawaii is a remote destination, virtually everybody and everything on the island is interconnected and is affected by the tourism industry. It would seem that the residents of Hawaii would embrace the tourism industry for obvious reasons; however, many native Hawaiians do not feel that the tourism industry contributes to or betters
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