Hawaii experiences boom in Korean visitors

23 Jun 2010 2200 | World Travel News

Hawaii is welcoming more Koreans than ever, with the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) recording a 91 percent surge in the first quarter of this year.

HTA President Mike McCartney told Khon2 earlier this month that there were some 20,000 visitors during the first quarter, marking a 91 percent jump.

?Last year there were 54,000 visitors, we're expecting over 80,000 visitors this year," he said. "Every business from hotels, to retailers, to restaurants will gear up and be able to service Korean visitors.?

"I think the Korean market will be a good market for Hawaii in the future," The surge is attributed to the South Korea Visa Waiver Program, which allows Koreans to visit Hawaii without a Visa.

"Very beautiful place everyone want to go to Hawaii," a South Korean visitor told local media. "Nowadays with Visa Waiver Program some people can come Hawaii without Visa so getting more and more."

On average, Korean visitors to Hawaii this year have stayed 6-7 days, with around 83 percent of them first-time visitors.

Sourced=etravelblackboardasia