Feb. 4, 2011: HTA Survey Shows $28 Million Spent During Pro Bowl
HONOLULU -- A survey by the Hawaii Tourism Authority shows that visitors who came specifically to attend the Pro Bowl accounted for $28.15 million ($28.6 million in 2009) in visitor spending and generated $3.07 million ($2.9 million in 2009) in state taxes.

The HTA, through Market Trends Pacific, conducted the survey on the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl held at Aloha Stadium on Jan. 30.

"Visitor spending and state tax collections due to the Pro Bowl were on par with previous years. Although there was a decrease in the number of visitors who came specifically for the game, the results show an increase in average length of stay and state tax revenue collection," said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of HTA. "We were also very pleased with the increase in viewership this year. This is especially meaningful because the television exposure is probably one of the most powerful benefits of the Pro Bowl to Hawaii. Viewers are seeing beautiful images of Hawaii during the middle of winter on the mainland, and we know that it helps influence their decision to come to our islands in the near future."

For more information on this report, visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org.

Jan. 11, 2011: Barrel Tax Should Fund Clean Energy Solutions
HONOLULU -- According to the most recent independent statewide survey commissioned by Blue Planet Foundation, more than two-thirds of Hawai‘i residents would be willing to pay a $3 per barrel tax on oil imports to fund Hawai‘i’s clean energy future. The findings lend significant support to various measures pending before the legislature that would increase the barrel tax or redistribute its revenue.

Blue Planet Foundation, a local nonprofit committed to clean energy solutions, believes that a minimum $5 tax per barrel should be levied to accelerate Hawai‘i's clean energy transition. All of the revenue collected should fund clean energy efforts, including energy efficiency programs, planning, investment, and renewable energy integration.

“The original intent behind the barrel tax was to convert the source of Hawai‘i’s energy problem into a solution,” says Blue Planet's executive director Jeff Mikulina, encouraging lawmakers to recognize the broad support for Hawaii’s energy security. “The existing partial solution compromises its benefits and denies the public of the direct investment they believe the barrel tax should be. A December 2010 Market Trends Pacific survey (400 residents statewide with +/- 4.9% margin of error) asked what residents were willing to pay additionally each month on their total energy bill if the revenue were directed toward clean energy initiatives.

For more information on the findings of this report, visit http://blueplanetfoundation.org/barrel-tax-should-fund-clean-energy-solutions.html

June 30, 2010: Strategies for Energy Efficiencies in Transportation (SEET)
HONOLULU -- This study, sponsored by the Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, surveyed a representative sample of 1,536 adult residents in the four counties of the State of Hawai‘i to understand their attitudes and behaviors and to gauge their preferences for and sensitivities to various energy-efficiency strategies in transportation. More specifically, the study asked the following questions:

• To what extent did high fuel prices in the past affect travel behavior in the City and County of Honolulu affect travel behavior?
• Will higher fuel prices in the future spur: (a) purchase of smaller and/or fuel-efficient and/or alternative fuel vehicles; (b) greater use of alternative modes of motorized (e.g., fixed guide way, city buses, motor bikes, carpools and vanpools) and non-motorized (e.g., bicycles, walking) travel; and (c) adjustments in lifestyle and daily travel behavior (e.g., four-day work week, telecommuting, mixed-use, high density community living)?

Market Trends Pacific, Inc. (MTP) was contracted to conduct a telephone and web survey. To see the full report go to: http://www.hawaiienergypolicy.hawaii.edu/PDF/Reports/2010/SEET2010StateFinal.pdf

Feb. 29, 2008: Hawaii Tourism Industry Surveys Resident Attitudes
HONOLULU -- In a study released by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA), findings show that a majority of residents statewide appreciate and understand the benefits that tourism brings to our state. The report, prepared by Market Trends Pacific, Inc. and John M. Knox & Associates, Inc, polled 1,644 residents on their attitudes towards Hawaii's $12 billion-a-year visitor industry.

The report, Tracking Surveys of Resident Sentiments on Tourism in Hawai'i, found that 73 percent of residents agree that benefits of tourism exceed any problems associated with it, a result that has remained stable for many years. "Findings from this report show that Hawai'i residents understand and value economic and other benefits that tourism brings to our state," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the HTA.

The survey, conducted in October through December 2007, marks the sixth in a regular series of telephone surveys carried out for the HTA. The purpose of the survey is to track resident feelings about ongoing issues in the visitor industry including, but not limited to, growth, quality of life, job quality, and community values. Questions included the following topics:

• Residents' core attitudes and beliefs on tourism;
• Attitudes toward some of the newer trends in Hawai'i tourism;
• Perceived impact of tourism and the importance of those impacts;
• Attitudes toward visitor industry jobs; and
• Opinions on other policy issues related to tourism and the visitor industry.

• To identify residents' perception of how tourism affects community issues, specifically traffic and housing; and
• Thoughts on the visitor industry's role as a community leader.

See the full report at http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/2007RSS/.

Feb. 27, 2007: Study Shows Pro Bowl Economic Impact
HONOLULU -- A survey conducted by Market Trends Pacific for the Hawaii Tourism Authority indicates that the Pro Bowl's economic impact on Hawaii fell this year for the second time in a row, even through the event continues to draw sellout crowds at Aloha Stadium. Direct spending by visitors totaled $28.03 million this year, down from $33.26 million last year and $39.34 million in 2005.

Market Trends Pacific also found that more people planned ahead this year for the Pro Bowl as a vacation activity, with 90 percent of the visitors making a decision to attend the annual event ahead of time compared with 77 percent in 2006.

See full story: Star Bulletin | Pacific Business News

April 11, 2006: MTP Surveys Hawaii Resident Sentiments on Tourism
Surveys done for the Hawaii Tourism Authority suggests for the first time that a majority of people think local needs are secondary to those of tourists. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed agreed, up from 48 percent in 2002 and 43 percent in 1988. When asked whether tourism overall has brought more benefits than problems, the response is 71 percent positive and in five of the six times the question has been asked since 1998, the responses have been at least 70 percent positive. The research, done by Market Trends Pacific Inc. and John M. Knox & Associates, offers valuable insight into both tourism and charges in priorities over the last 17 years.

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