Expectations for tourism to ease voluntary isolation by Hawaii tourists, etc.
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Hawaii, a world-famous tourist destination.
Last year, the number of visitors to Hawaii exceeded 10 million, about 30,000 per day, but has dropped to about 2,000 per day since the spread of the new coronavirus.
Under these circumstances, the Hawaiian state government has decided to relax the standard that requires voluntary quarantine for 14 days after arrival for tourists from the United States and Japan, and hopes to announce the details of the system within a few weeks. ..
In Hawaii, there are growing expectations that the tourism industry will revive with the return of tourists from Japan and other states in the United States.
Hawaii's governor, David Ige, told reporters on the 15th that he had relaxed the standards of self-isolation demanded by domestic tourists, saying, "Today is the long-awaited day of Hawaii's economic revival. As a result of hard work and hard work, we are now able to welcome tourists across the Pacific again, "he said.
Expectations for the hotel industry
There are also growing expectations in the hotel industry that the state of Hawaii has decided not to require voluntary quarantine for tourists visiting from Japan if the conditions are met.
Ayumi White, who is in charge of marketing at a hotel in Waikiki, said, "Since about 1.5 million tourists come from Japan every year, please open Hawaii safely as soon as possible so that Japanese customers can visit Hawaii. I hope it will be an environment where you can enjoy yourself. "
Currently, the number of passengers at this hotel is limited to airplane crew members, etc., but we are preparing for the general public to resume operations from the 1st of next month.
On top of that, Mr. White said, "For people from Japan, we are preparing for promotions so that they can stay in 2021 after the new year. By the end of the year, if anything, we will stay at the local people. We will continue to develop "staycations" and promotions for people in other states in the United States. "
Infection control "Ask tourists for cooperation"
In the United States, the number of new coronavirus infections is currently on the rise in many states, but in Hawaii, the number of new infections per day exceeded 300 in August and is now around 100. It is decreasing.
However, Governor Ige of Hawaii told reporters on the 15th, "Hawaii residents have made many sacrifices to prevent the spread of the infection. Tourists also wear masks, wash their hands, disinfect, and interact with people. I would like to ask for distance, "he emphasized the idea of asking tourists from outside the state to cooperate in infection control efforts.
A male tourist who arrived in Hawaii on that day said, "Preliminary virus testing was very easy. I think it's 100% true that you need to wear a mask."
Also, a female tourist who planned to come to Hawaii in April and September but gave up and was finally able to come said, "I'm not going out without a mask, and the restaurant is indoors. I'm going to sit outdoors instead of sitting at the table. I'm going to walk a lot on the beach and relax. "
Attempts to de-sightseeing
On the other hand, in Hawaii, it will take a considerable amount of time for tourists to return to the level before the spread of infection, so we will change the industrial structure that has been heavily dependent on the tourism industry. Attempts have also begun.
It is calculated that about 30,000 people visited Hawaii last year, but since the spread of the new coronavirus, it has dropped to about 2,000 people per day.
The core industry, tourism, was hit particularly hard, with the unemployment rate in the state dropping to 22.3% in April.
Therefore, the state of Hawaii launched a new employment promotion program last month in collaboration with private companies and NPOs.
It provides on-the-job training opportunities for unemployed people for a few months so that they can find employment in fields such as environmental protection, agriculture, culture, and IT. Wages of 1,300 yen or more per hour are also administrative. It will be paid from the budget.
Rich Wacker, CEO of the bank that cooperated with the program, said, "Hawaii was so dependent on tourism that other industries need to grow. The program will continue even if tourism resumes. We believe that it will open the way for people who cannot return to work and support the management of small and medium-sized enterprises. "
In addition, Tiare Nichols, who received on-the-job training at a company that intends to use this program to document Hawaiian culture, said, "The spread of the new coronavirus has a major impact on our household budget. Now that I have the opportunity to train, I feel positive. "