You can raise wages just as effectively by increasing the demand for low-skilled labour as by increasing demand for high-skilled labour. The direction that the

You can raise wages just as effectively by increasing the demand for low-skilled labour as by increasing demand for high-skilled labour. The direction that the upward pressure on wages is coming from changes, but it's there nonetheless. If the locality is fortunate enough to have home-sharing, the profits from tourism accommodations also flow to local pockets, creating potentially thousands of high income micro-hoteliers. Moreover, not all tourism spending directly contributes to what are traditionally considered "tourism jobs". For example it contributes to more revenues for restaurants, retail businesses, etc. As for Hawaii, I think a much better explanation for its poverty levels is the migration of people from other parts of the US to enjoy Hawaii's homeless-friendly climate.