Hawaii tourism officials present industry update

Hawaii tourism officials are sharing updates on their outlook for the state’s biggest industry and their plans for promoting the islands to travelers around the world.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s spring marketing meeting is being held in Honolulu on Wednesday just as industry growth slows.

Last week the agency released data showing visitors spent 5 percent less in January than the same month last year. It was the fifth straight month of spending declines.

CEO Mike McCartney says the tourism economy is starting to plateau after two years of record-breaking growth.

He says fluctuating exchange rates, growing competition and the increasing cost of a Hawaiian vacation all contributed to the spending drop. He says the trend should continue through the middle of the year.