THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

121

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the Hawaii Tourism Authority to study the feasibility of establishing a "Tour de Hawaii" bike race.

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Tour de France is an annual bicycle race that covers around 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) throughout France and bordering countries, lasting three weeks and attracting cyclists from around the world; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Tour de France brings substantial economic benefits to the participating regions, attracting spectators, sports enthusiasts, and contributing to the development of sports tourism; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Tour de France model has proven beneficial in other states that have established similar races; and

 

     WHEREAS, for example, the 600-mile, one-week Tour de Georgia, founded in 2003 as a tourism vehicle to showcase the state, has attracted 3.2 million spectators and over $186 million in direct economic impact to the State of Georgia in its first six years, and $38.6 million in 2008 alone – a forty per cent increase over 2007; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2008, the Tour of Missouri attracted 434,000 spectators and had an overall economic impact of nearly $30 million, with seventy-seven per cent of out-of-state visitors at the event citing the Tour as the reason for their visit to the state; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is a natural venue for the establishment of a "Tour de Hawaii", building on the success of other sports tourism events, such as the highly competitive statewide triathlon schedule and numerous cycling events and races; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is requested to study the feasibility of establishing a "Tour de Hawaii" bike race with the possibility of staging race segments on all the major populated islands; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of its study, the HTA is requested to review the models of other states and appropriate jurisdictions that have established similar bike racing events, including:

 

     (1)  The years in which the events were established and annual expenditures and economic benefits, including any increases in tourism as a result of the events;

 

     (2)  Infrastructure requirements, such as new or improved racing venues, estimated costs, and sources of funds; and

 

     (3)  Recommended best practices from other states and jurisdictions; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the HTA is requested to consider this information in determining the feasibility of establishing a "Tour de Hawaii"; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the HTA is requested to report to the Legislature its findings and recommendations, including benefits, costs, and a timetable for implementation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Board of Directors and to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

HTA: Tour de Hawaii Bike Race; Feasibility Study