Jet air service has fueled the Hawaii travel boom in recent decades. In 2002, there were about 6.4 million visitor arrivals to the islands, with travel expenditures at about $10.3 billion dollars. A majority of visitors are from other US states. The largest international market (1.5 million visitors) is Japan. Travel and tourism employment was recorded at 134,300 in 1999.
Visitors come for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, and sailing; for the hula, luau, lei, and other distinctive island pleasures; for the tropical climate and magnificent scenic beauty; and for a remarkable variety of recreational facilities, including 7 national parks and historic sites, 74 state parks, 626 county parks, 17 public golf courses, and 1,600 recognized surfing sites.