Abstract
The unprecedented growth of tourism over the last century has led to increasing concerns over the sustainable development of many popular tourism destinations throughout the globe. High concentrations of tourists and residents, especially in urbanized areas, have heightened this concern with the arrival of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Over reliance on tourism has left residents vulnerable to external factors, such as the coronavirus pandemic that has halted tourists from coming to this remote destination. As a result, Hawaii’s overall economy is suffering greatly. A survey was developed and distributed to potential tourists in order to acquire their perceptions regarding tourism and well-being, as well as the COVID-19 outbreak. The focus of this study was to examine practices in tourism that moves beyond solely economics which will allow repositioning in a manner that promotes the well-being of both residents and tourists and to transition this unique tourism destination for sustainable development practices for the future. One of the results from the study reported that the majority of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that testing for COVID-19 should be a travel requirement prior to flying to Hawaii, as well as having an additional COVID-19 test administered upon arrival.
Highlights
The United States’ own island paradise, Hawaii, has relied on tourism for its economic survival and sustainability for decades
This study focuses on the effects of COVID-19, the well-being of tourists and residents, along with the sustainable development of tourism destinations
While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the tourism industry from around the world to endure the worst recession in modern history, as an island destination, Hawaii is in a unique position to develop a balance between the needs and well-being of the local residents and the desires of the tourists, in order to produce a safe and sustainable tourist product
Summary
The United States’ own island paradise, Hawaii, has relied on tourism for its economic survival and sustainability for decades. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) found that the overall contribution of tourism in the state of Hawaii was greater in 1989 with 6.5 million tourists compared to that the 9.3 million tourists in 2017 (UHERO 2019). Hawaii has depended on the tourism industry as the leading employer as well as the economic engine and its main source of income for Hawaii’s economy This study focuses on the effects of COVID-19, the well-being of tourists and residents, along with the sustainable development of tourism destinations. The COVID-19 pandemic can have a silver lining, allowing Hawaii’s tourism to reset or reposition itself within the realm of more sustainable development including green economics, to attract the number as well as the types of tourists that will benefit the local community, and the sustainability of the natural environment. The structure of the paper following the preliminary introduction includes the research background; literature review; methodology; results and discussion; and conclusion
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