A state consultant yesterday released a draft road map for O'ahu's tourism industry covering the next nine years.

The strategic plan developed by SMS Consulting attempts to balance the needs of the island's visitor industry with those of residents and the Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. It was commissioned by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and runs through 2015. It is designed to guide the authority and public and private entities involved in the state's visitor industry.

The plan proposes tax incentives to spur the renovation of older hotel properties and calls for the development of new products in the events and sports categories to boost travel to O'ahu during slower periods of the year.

It also calls for harbor improvements amid an anticipated increase in cruise ship visitors to O'ahu. Additionally, the plan attempts to address workforce availability issues by increasing training and outreach aimed at improving the perception of tourism jobs.

The plan was drafted following public meetings around the islands aimed at gathering community comment.

Hawai'i's visitor industry is enjoying one of its best years ever in terms of visitor arrivals and spending.

A total of 7.65 million visitor are expected to travel to Hawai'i this year, breaking last year's record of 7.49 million visitors, according to the latest forecast from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The department is forecasting visitor spending to increase to $12.75 billion from $11.9 billion.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com.