The State has a pilot project to license operators utilizing public trails for organized hiking tours. The program ensures that operators have liability insurance and helps raise funds for the State to upkeep and improve trails. The establishment of the 120-member Hawaii Ecotourism Association in 1995 was a step forward in developing a coordinated, public and private sector effort to develop and market nature tourism. This has given the industry a means to work with government to develop activities, certify operators, and interface activities and marketing with related niches such as cultural, adventure and health tourism. Sports Tourism Sports tourism, including related recreational tourism, is increasing in popularity.
Sports tourism includes both spectator and participant activities and attractions.
The Travel Industry Association reports that more than 75 million U.S. adults traveled 50 miles or more to sporting events over the past five years. Hawaii is an established sports destination in a number of areas including the Honolulu Marathon, the Ironman Triathlon, the NFL Pro Bowl, the Aloha and Hula college bowls, and a host of PGA events including the Sony Open. The publicity and media exposure surrounding such major events is of enormous value to general tourism promotion and the increasing prestige of the events. Recreational tourism overlaps with sports enough that joint marketing is feasible. Golf is the leading recreational activity for visitors, although opportunities exist to attract niche markets for surfing, sports fishing, diving and tennis as well.