With the launch of Air Canada rouge’s first flights to Hawaii’s Islands taking place Nov. 21, Ronald Williams, interim president and CEO, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), issued a statement to its travel partners, projecting an increase of $57 million in visitor expenditures as a result of the added air capacity.

Williams estimates that the combination of new Air Canada rouge routes from Vancouver to Honolulu, Vancouver to Kahului (which will operate daily during the peak winter season) and a Toronto to Honolulu route (launching in December along with YVR to OGG) will generate an additional $6 million in tax revenue for the state of Hawaii, during the winter period — or $57 million in visitor expenditures.

Williams also states that HTA will work with HVCB and other industry partners to ensure there is sufficient travel demand to sustain these flights.