Hawaii looks to streamline travel process for Japanese visitors

Hawaii looks to streamline travel process for Japanese visitors

Robert Besser
27 Nov 2023, 15:02 GMT+10

• The islands’ leaders are working on streamlining the travel process for Japanese tourists, making it more convenient for them to visit the picturesque islands
• The plan involves establishing a pre-clearance program, allowing Japanese travelers to undergo immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections before departing for Hawaii
• This initiative aims to reduce waiting times at Honolulu Airport and enhance the overall visitor experience

HONOLULU, Hawaii: The islands’ leaders are working on streamlining the travel process for Japanese tourists, making it more convenient for them to visit the picturesque islands.

The plan involves establishing a pre-clearance program, allowing Japanese travelers to undergo immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections before departing for Hawaii. This initiative aims to reduce waiting times at Honolulu Airport and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Governor Josh Green and other state officials recently proposed this concept during their visit to Tokyo, emphasizing its potential to rejuvenate tourism in Hawaii. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on tourism from Japan, which historically has been one of Hawaii’s key international visitor markets.

The state is particularly eager to attract Japanese tourists due to its familiarity with Hawaiian culture and its responsible stewardship of the land, referred to as “aina” in the local language. Governor Green believes implementing a pre-clearan