State tourism agency predicts huge influx

A half-million more people are forecast to see the isles than traveled here in 2012

By Allison Schaefers

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 07, 2013

~~<p>If you thought last year was a strong one for Hawaii tourism, you should be blown away this year when an additional 500,000 visitors arrive, pumping $1.5 billion more into the economy.</p>
<p>That's what the Hawaii Tourism Authority expects to see, according to a new projection for 2013 released Wednesday. The HTA anticipates a record 8.5 million visitors will come and spend $15.8 billion.</p>
~~

If you thought last year was a strong one for Hawaii tourism, you should be blown away this year when an additional 500,000 visitors arrive, pumping $1.5 billion more into the economy.

That's what the Hawaii Tourism Authority expects to see, according to a new projection for 2013 released Wednesday. The HTA anticipates a record 8.5 million visitors will come and spend $15.8 billion. Login for more...