URGING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO ADD A STIPULATION TO ITS SIGNATURE EVENT PROGRAM TO REQUIRE THIRTY PERCENT OF FUNDS AWARDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO BE USED TO MARKET EVENTS TO OUT-OF-STATE MARKETS.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority to modify its Signature Event Program by requiring 30% of awarded grant funds to be used for marketing events to visitors from outside Hawaii. The resolution directly affects the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the organizations that receive funding for major events like festivals, film festivals, and sports competitions. Currently, grantees can use these funds for operational costs or local purposes without a specific requirement to promote the events to out-of-state audiences. The proposed change aims to ensure that publicly funded events actively attract visitors from other states to support Hawaii's tourism industry.