June 2016 E-Bulletin
Aloha Kakou,

We spent a remarkable week in Washington, D.C. recently filled with memories never to be forgotten.  

The biggest highlight of all was seeing Hokulea come down the Potomac River. Wow!  

We also met with the congressional delegation to brief them on the state of Hawaii tourism and push for measures to support the industry.  

Another special moment for HTA was receiving the President’s ‘E’ Award for Export Service of Tourism. This is an award four years in the making and one we share with our industry partners.  
Message from George D. Szigeti
President & CEO
Hawaii Tourism Authority
Presenting the award to HTA was U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, who was joined by U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard.  

HTA was one of 123 recipients to earn the President’s “E” Award, which is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Four successive years of export growth is required of recipients to receive the award.  

In Hawaii’s case, more than 40 percent of Hawaii’s total visitor expenditures have been generated by international visitors in each of the past four years, showing the value of exporting tourism worldwide.  

HTA is committed to strengthening Hawai‘i’s tourism base by expanding our reach to travelers in markets worldwide. The E Award is evidence that HTA is on the right track for continued success.
With Warmest Aloha, 
The global tourism industry is converging on Hawaii this September and you are personally invited to the 2016 Hawaii Tourism Conference.  We're breaking the mold of conferences, bringing together major stakeholders from around the world, celebrating Hawaii's unique culture and attractions, and you simply do not want to miss this event. 

Transforming Tourism Together
September 26-30, 2016

June Events
OAHU
History Theater
June 17-28, 24-25

ESPN 1420 Sports Festival
June 25



MAUI
Lahaina 2nd Friday Town Party
June 17

International Maui Festival
June 17-18

Pau Parade and Hoolaulea
June 18-19

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival "Maui Style"
June 26



KAUAI
Kauai Museum Cultural Festivals
All Month

Annual Celebration of Prince Kuhio
June 18



HAWAII ISLAND
Kona Town Night Market
June 18
HTA Addresses Hawaii Tourism on Capitol Hill
While in our nation’s capital, the HTA team met with members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation and their staff to share its marketing plans and priorities, and to discuss federal issues important to the state’s visitor industry.

T he team also had productive meetings with the tourism industry's key advocacy groups – the U.S. Travel Association and the Western States Tourism Policy Group.
Hokulea Arrives in Washington, D.C.
As part of her worldwide voyage, the Hokulea sailed into Washington, D.C. via the Potomac River, and HTA was honored to be a part of that “chicken skin” moment in celebrating the arrival of the historic canoe. 

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joined the Hawaii congressional delegation, Native Hawaiian leaders and community members as the Hokulea docked at the Washington Canoe Club.  

The Hokulea and the Malama Honua mission are engaging communities around the globe on sustainable living while sharing the Polynesian culture.

Mahalo to the Washington Canoe Club, Polynesian Voyaging Society, and American Canoe Association for inviting HTA to join in this memorable ceremony.
Honoring King Kamehameha
Hundreds were in attendance at the annual King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony held in Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

The HTA delegation honored Hawaii’s greatest king by presenting a lei that was draped on the statue. Attendees were entertained with hula, music, and remarks from dignitaries and leaders in the Native Hawaiian community. 
HTA Teams Up With Lifeguards Statewide to Offer
Junior Lifeguard Program
To inspire Hawaii's next generation of watermen and waterwomen and help improve water safety statewide, HTA has teamed up with certified lifeguards on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island to offer the Junior Lifeguard Program.

The Junior Lifeguard Program teaches Hawaii youths essential ocean safety skills, helps build their confidence and promotes the value of protecting and preserving ocean resources. 

HTA's support pays for the instructors and equipment, such as tubes, surfboards and tents, to operate the program statewide this summer.

The Junior Lifeguard Program is free and open to all youths, ages 12-17 years old statewide.

Click here to watch Hawaii News Now's feature on the Junior Lifeguard program. 
Video Highlights Importance of Visitor Safety
The safety and welfare of Hawaii’s residents and visitors is always HTA's top priority.

HTA created and debuted a safety video as part of its efforts to ensure those who visit the Hawaiian Islands have a safe and memorable stay.

The video features important safety tips and information, and can be found on HTA’s social media sites and the Travel Smart Hawaii website.

Click here to view the safety video.
State Recognizes HTA for Hosting "Green" Conference
HTA’s 2015 Hawaii Tourism Conference was recognized for being a “green” event during this year’s Hawaii Green Business Program awards ceremony on April 22.

Sixteen businesses and five events were honored for their innovative work to conserve energy and implement sustainable practices.   

For more information on the Hawaii Green Business Program click here.  
Kauai Museum Featured in New Video
HTA released its third "Tourism is a Family Business" video featuring Paul and Noelani Pomroy of the Kauai Museum. This video series highlights the importance of tourism to Hawaii's economy and its impact on all of us, our families and our community.

You can view the new spot on HTA's YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.

The first two spots featuring local Chef Mark "Gooch" Noguchi of Mission Social Hall and Cafe and Renee Kimura of Kimura Lauhala Shop on Hawaii Island can be seen here: 

Mark "Gooch" Noguchi 

Renee Kimura
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
2016 Travel Weekly Hawaii Leadership Forum
The 2016 Travel Weekly Hawaii Leadership Forum (May 10) covered the evolving trends of tourism and how to make the industry stronger going into the future.

Attendees included representatives from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and its island chapters, wholesalers, tour operators, accommodations, transportation, activities and attractions.  

George Szigeti, HTA President and CEO, and Leslie Dance, HTA Vice President of Marketing and Product Development,  spoke about how HTA is evolving its marketing focus and digital strategies to reach today’s travelers.

Other panels featured senior executives from Pleasant Holidays, Classic Vacations, The Mark Travel Corporation, Apple Vacations, Travel Impressions, GOGO Worldwide Vacations, United Airlines, Delta Vacations, Be Well Travel, and Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel.
Cruise Executives Tour State Ports
The inaugural Cruise Executive Summit kicked off at the Travel Weekly Hawaii Leadership Forum in Waikiki.  

Executives from Princess Cruises, Holland America, Seabourn, and Royal Caribbean conducted statewide port inspections in Honolulu, Kona, Hilo, Nawiliwili, Kahului, and Lahaina with representatives from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Hawaii Department of Transportation, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Cruise Line International Association.   

Cruise Executive Summit participants also met with industry partners on each island.
Virgin America Launches Daily Nonstop Flights Between
LAX and HNL
On May 5, Virgin America expanded its Hawaii service with the launch of daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Honolulu International Airport (HNL).  

On June 14, the carrier’s Hawaii schedule will grow once again with daily nonstop flights from LAX to Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG).  

Virgin America launched service to the Aloha State in November 2015 with the first flight arriving at HNL from San Francisco.
HTO's 2016 Aloha Down Under Roadshow Hosts Record Number of Attendees
Hawaii Tourism Oceania hosted the 2016 Aloha Down Under (ADU) Roadshow on May 2-10.

Business to Business meetings and trade missions were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast in Australia, as well as Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand.

The Roadshow was a tremendous success with a record number of Hawaii travel industry participants and event attendees. If you’re interested in attending the 2017 ADU Roadshow, registration information will be sent out in December.
European Tour Operators FAM Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii Tourism Europe organized a Product Manager FAM with key tour operators from the United Kingdom market in May. They traveled to the islands of Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Kauai, and visited a number of hotel properties and participated in some of the island’s top activities.   

HTA hosted the Brand USA UK Mega FAM from May 11-17. The travel agents won a spot on the Hawaii FAM and got to experience the four major islands with itineraries coordinated by the island visitors bureaus. The agents said they left with a better understanding of each island and a true appreciation for the beautiful Hawaiian culture.
HTE Launches
"The Hawaii Challenge"
Hawaii Tourism Europe launched its online game, “The Hawaii Challenge,” targeted at both consumers and travel trade in the United Kingdom and German markets. 

The fun and interactive game encourages players to learn about the Hawaiian Islands, featuring fun tidbits and a grand prize drawing to win a free trip to Hawaii.  The game is featured on both the UK and German consumer and travel trade sites and will run through June.     
HTSEA Holds Inaugural
Sales Mission
Hawaii Tourism Southeast Asia held its inaugural sales mission on May 3-4. About 120 Malaysia companies and 18 Hawaii companies participated in the event.

The Hawaii group met with HTSEA’s Aloha Club, which is made up of 12 members from major travel agencies in Malaysia. The Aloha Club plans to create and market at least three different tour itineraries.
Hawaii Tourism Missions to China and Taiwan
Hawaii Tourism China’s Mission Camp Aloha took place in Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu on April 25-29. There were 22 businesses and 47 individuals from Hawaii, and more than 300 tour operators and travel agents from China participating. More than 1,400 one-on-one meetings were conducted during the mission.  

The focus in Shanghai and Beijing was on developing MCI group business. The Chengdu mission focused on leisure, and key operators and agents from all over China were invited to the city for a comprehensive two-day educational summit.
Hawaii Tourism Taiwan’s mission took place in Kaohsiung and Taipei on April 21-22 with nine Hawaii businesses and 14 individuals, and more than 50 Taiwanese agents in attendance.  

This year, Kaohsiung was selected for the first time in an effort to expand travel trade education and promotion in the Southern Taiwan region.  

Both missions in China and Taiwan highlighted Hawaiian culture with maemae training session, Hawaiian oli, and Hawaiian music and hula performances. In Taipei, there was a special cultural exchange ceremony between a native Taiwanese group from the Atayal tribe and a Hawaiian group led by Daniel Nahoopii, HTA’s Director of Research.  
HTA recognizes the use of the 'okina ['] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai'i such as Lāna'i). However, HTA respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses. Due to technological limitations, this current communication may not include all Hawaiian diacritical markings.