BRUCE DUNFORD
Associated Press Writer
HONOLULU (AP) -- Hawaii's struggling tourism industry is offering 1,200 emergency workers in New York a taste of the aloha spirit, in the form of free vacations to the islands.
``Fire, police and rescue workers are among our country's bravest and most selfless heroes,'' said Gov. Ben Cayetano, who announced the gift Thursday. ``We would like to honor them by inviting these rescue workers to relax in the comforting warmth and hospitality of our islands and our people.''
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will be asked to select 600 of the rescue and recovery workers to be flown to Hawaii on Dec. 3 for a week of rest and recuperation in Waikiki, Cayetano said.
Each month during 2002, 50 more rescue workers will be given similar vacations, he said.
Cayetano said he will extend the invitation when he visits New York next week to attend the American Society of Travel Agents World Congress, an event Hawaii will host next year.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau has canceled the expensive dinner planned for the 2,000 ASTA delegates on Nov. 7. Instead, a $125,000 check will be given to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, the governor's office said. The delegates will be given $75 each to dine out that night in New York's restaurants.
The state of Hawaii and the tourist industry have launched advertising campaigns in an effort to attract tourists who have been staying away since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
The number of domestic visitors to Hawaii is down 9 percent from the same time last year and tourism from Japan is down 61 percent, according to state officials.
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