Hawaii not concerned by boycott campaign
Hawaii tourism leaders say they are not concerned about the trending #BoycottHawaii by Trump supporters.
Following the Aloha State’s leading role in getting the travel ban blocked for the second time, Trump supporters responded with the viral hashtag.
"People have a right to express their opinion. We don’t think people that are at all thoughtful and like to come to Hawaii for the things that we offer will be affected in the slightest," Hawaii Tourism Association chairman Rick Fried told KHON2.
"I think it will have no effect. I think the fact that we took the right position, in my view, if anything will keep getting brought up more and more, and I think it could in the long run affect us positively."
While many on Twitter have jumped on the bandwagon calling for a boycott, arguably even more are drolly pointing out that a Hawaii free of Trump supporters is a major selling point.
George Szigeti, chief executive of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said the agency supports the stand taken by the Hawaii attorney general.
"We stand by him shoulder to shoulder. It’s the right thing to do for Hawaii."
"I have not heard of anyone pulling out. In fact, I’ve heard more people wanting to come here," Szigeti said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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