Hawaii is considering introducing a tourist fee to fix the effects of overcrowding and restore the environment. While this would be the first US state to consider such an option, it does make sense. Since the pandemic, a number of popular destinations in the world have begun to charge a tourism fee, including Venice, Italy. Read on to find out more about the proposed tourist fee and how it could affect your vacation.
Hawaii could introduce a tourist fee to protect the environment
Especially now that travel is alive again, popular destinations in the world have started plans to fight overcrowding and damage to the environment. Hawaii’s current governor, Josh Green, campaigned last year to introduce a $50 tourist fee that all visitors would pay. At the time, Green said, “All I want to do, honestly, is to make travelers accountable and have the capacity to help pay for the impact that they have.” Green added:
We get between 9 and 10 million visitors a year, but we only have 1.4 million people living here. Those 10 million travelers should be helping us sustain our environment.
On the surface, the proposal does make sense. Tourists head to Hawaii for its gorgeous islands, idyllic beaches and lush vegetation. However, the very people that do so could be doing damage to the environment along the way. Why not get them to pay to fix that damage?
Charge for access to Hawaii’s state parks
Meanwhile, the idea of charging a $50 tourist fee could clash with the US constitutional right to free travel, meaning it is unlikely to pass. However, as reported by the Associated Press, legislators suggest that a fee could be charged for access to Hawaii’s state parks and hiking trails instead. As reported before, most national parks and hiking trails in the US are free to visit or charge a nominal fee of $5 to $10.
Rather than charging a set rate to every tourist that visits Hawaii, paying a fee to enter state parks would still allow the state to collect money. This could then be used for environmental protection, restoration and conservation, without infringing on the right to free travel.
Overcrowding and environmental damage
With its mountains and valleys, idyllic beaches and tropical flora and fauna, Hawaii is renowned for being one of the most beautiful places in the US. This obviously has always been a huge draw for visitors. However, crowds have increased over the last decade, including the time since Hawaii reopened for visitors.
In fact, according to Sean Quinlan, Hawaii’s State Representative, who chairs the US House Tourism Committee, the number of tourists hiking in Hawaii has increased by 50 percent over the last decade. Social media platforms like Instagram are bursting at the seams with gorgeous images taken on off-the-beaten-path hikes in Hawaii.
Moreover, in the previous decade, the number of visitors to Hawaii has increased by several million each year. This can only add strain to the state’s environment and infrastructure.
The negative effects of overtourism include damage to coral reefs and polluted beaches. This, in turn, causes interference with the habitats of dolphins and sea turtles. Recently, a campaign was launched by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau to ask tourists to respect the environment during their visits.
Other popular locations with tourist fees
Hawaii might be the first state to introduce a tourist fee, but it wouldn’t be alone. New Zealand has introduced a $35 NZD ($21.85 USD) International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
Meanwhile, Thailand will be introducing a tourist fee of around $9 starting in June. Moreover, Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands charge a $100 USD fee for all visitors entering the national park. Also, Venice in Italy is introducing a tourist fee for daytrippers to the iconic city.
Should Hawaii choose to introduce a tourist fee, this will be used for the restoration, protection and conservation of the environment due to overtourism.