Reducing Over-Tourism: The Role of Community Tourism on Big Island Hawaii

Reducing Over-Tourism: The Role of Community Tourism on Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii, also known as the Island of Hawaiʻi, is a popular tourist destination that attracts millions of visitors each year. While tourism provides many benefits to the local economy, it can also have negative impacts on the environment and local communities.

Over-tourism occurs when the number of visitors to a destination exceeds its capacity to sustainably manage them. This can lead to overcrowding, strain on infrastructure and resources, and damage to natural and cultural sites.

One way to reduce the impact of over-tourism on Big Island Hawaii is through community tourism. Community tourism is a form of tourism that focuses on engaging with local communities and supporting their economic, social, and environmental well-being. It provides travelers with an opportunity to learn about local cultures and traditions while also giving back to the communities they visit.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has published a 2021-2023 Hawaii Island Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP) as part of its strategic vision and continuing efforts to manage tourism in a responsible and regenerative manner. The DMAP serves as a guide to rebuild, redefine, and reset the direction of tourism on Hawaii Island. It identifies areas of need as well as solutions for enhancing residents’ quality of life and improving the visitor experience ¹.

The community-based plan focuses on key actions that the community, visitor industry, and other sectors deem necessary over a three-year period. The foundation of the Hawai‘i Island DMAP is based on HTA’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and the 2020-2025 Hawaii Island Tourism Strategic Plan (TSP) ¹.

By engaging in community tourism on Big Island Hawaii, travelers can help support the local economy while also learning about the rich history and culture of the island. It provides a more authentic and meaningful travel experience while also benefiting the communities visited.

In conclusion, community tourism can play an important role in reducing the impact of over-tourism on Big Island Hawaii. By engaging with local communities and supporting their economic, social, and environmental well-being, travelers can help create a more sustainable future for Big Island Hawaii while also having an unforgettable travel experience. #BigIslandAdventure #CommunityTourism

Source:
(1) HTA Publishes Community-Based Tourism Management Plan for Hawaii Island. https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/news-releases/2021/hta-publishes-community-based-tourism-management-plan-for-hawaii-island/.
(2) How Neighbor Islands Are Working To Address Overtourism In Hawaii. https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/07/how-neighbor-islands-are-working-to-address-overtourism-in-hawaii/.
(3) Hawaii’s over-tourism problem may get worse than ever. Here’s why. https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/travel/hawaiis-over-tourism-problem-may-get-worse-than-ever-heres-why-101683346799539.html.
(4) Overtourism Problem in Hawaii – Free Essay Example – Edubirdie. https://edubirdie.com/examples/overtourism-problem-in-hawaii/.