A greater percentage of local residents have a favorable view of tourism than did two years ago, according to a new survey released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority today.

Of those polled in the 2009 survey, 78 percent indicated that they appreciated and understood the benefits tourism brings to the state, up from 71 percent when the previous poll was conducted in 2007, the HTA said.
“These results are encouraging because Hawaiçi’s visitor industry relies on support from residents,” said Mike McCartney, HTA president and chief executive officer.
The survey was conducted for HTA by OmniTrak Group Inc., which polled 1,650 residents across the state between Aug. 27 and Sept. 20.