Strike-related dampening of visitor numbers could cross into 2019
(WorldNews Business)

Some 2,700 Marriott hotel workers in Hawaii spent a sixth day on strike Saturday, seeking higher wages and better benefits while exacerbating challenges to the state’s visitor industry, which already has had to deal with floods, a volcanic eruption and hurricanes. The state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s third-quarter 2018 forecast anticipated visitor arrivals by year’s end would rise above 9.9 million, up more than 6 percent from 2017. DBEDT also forecast visitor spending to grow to $18.4 billion, a more than 9 percent gain from the previous year. If correct, Hawaii would achieve its seventh consecutive record-setting year in tourism. Tourism...