Just when Hawai'i's tourism economy seems to be plunging over a cliff — double-digit drops in visitor numbers and gloomy predictions of more of the same — some welcome news: The long-anticipated visa waiver program for South Korea will finally begin.

The Bush administration announced yesterday that Koreans, as well as people from six more European nations, will be able to visit the U.S. without a visa. Updated security protocols are part of the deal.

It's a glimmer of hope on a cloudy economic horizon. The challenge now lies with the tourism industry to expand on its initial efforts to provide a warm welcome and positive experience for the anticipated influx of Korean visitors.

For Hawai'i tourism officials, South Korea has the hallmark of a rich new vein of tourism gold — travelers visiting a uniquely exotic destination, most of them with the excitement of a first-time visitor.

At the moment, Koreans account for only a tiny sliver of tourism here — about 42,000 visitors in 2007, compared with 1.9 million foreign visitors and 7.5 million overall.

But they spend more. According to the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, in 2007 Korea visitors stayed 11 days on average and spent $217 per person per day. Visitors from the Mainland spend about $162 a day. So the economic potential is promising.

Of course, sharing the beauty of Hawai'i's land and people goes beyond money; helping new arrivals appreciate our unique blend of cultures will benefit visitor and host alike.