The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) attributes a surge in visitor arrivals and overnight volume to months of aggressive marketing since the events of 11 September 2001. January 2003 visitor figures show an overall increase in total visitor days of 12 per cent compared on January 2002. In addition, visitor arrivals rose by 11.6 per cent, with domestic visitors increasing by 8.6 per cent and international visitors growing impressively by 17.4 per cent.

Admittedly, the growth covers only one month but Tony Vericella, HVCB President and CEO, is encouraged by the strong showing of January`s visitor counts. The resurgence of visitor arrivals to Hawaii reflects the effectiveness of the industry`s marketing efforts post 11 September. It is encouraging to see that momentum carried over into the new year. The marketing and promotional programmes implemented by HVCB and its island chapters will continue to produce positive results for Hawaii.

Vericella said that it is difficult to gauge how much of an impact the impending war in the Middle East will have on Hawaii`s tourism industry. As the industry proceeds through the present period of economic and political uncertainty, the momentum observed in the January numbers is especially heartening.