2024 Visitor Industry Needs Assessment

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority conducted a Needs Assessment in 2024 to help inform their development of Technical Assistance and Capacity Building programs for the visitor industry. Conducted by locally owned research firm Ward Research, the Needs Assessment included input from a wide range of businesses, non-profit organizations, and trade associations working within the visitor industry, including those stewarding wahi pana with impacts from visitors. A robust survey of 921 respondents and 92 in-depth interviews among community and industry leaders, provided insight into questions around what is happening today in regenerative tourism, what supports are needed, and what does a regenerative future look like for Hawai’i.