SEPTEMBER 2018 E-BULLETIN
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A message from:
George D. Szigeti
President & CEO
Hawaii Tourism Authority
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Aloha mai kakou,
The 2018 Global Tourism Summit begins next week Monday, October 1, and runs through Wednesday, October 3, at the beautiful Hawaii Convention Center.
The summit theme,
Charting the Course
, captures the need of the Hawaiian Islands – and every other destination – to continuously balance the power and popularity of travel and tourism with its impact on residents and communities.
I am excited about having tourism stakeholders, industry professionals and community members come together to address the future of tourism.
Collectively, we all need to strive for a fair and equitable balance that ensures continued success for tourism – Hawaii’s largest industry – while also mitigating its effect on communities statewide.
It is a complicated challenge, but one that can be overcome with thoughtful and
even-handed recommendations for long-term solutions that make the Hawaiian Islands a better place to live, visit and experience.
What will help most in resolving this issue is getting everyone involved who has a stake and – most importantly – an interest in tourism’s future for Hawaii.
Your perspective on the direction that tourism should follow in the years to come is valued, respected, needed and – most of all – wanted.
Please do so and join us for a series of sessions on sustainable tourism, global tourism trends, cultural tourism, the marketing of Hawaii, and new innovations for travel and hospitality, particularly artificial intelligence.
There are also a multitude of opportunities to gather, network, collaborate and seek partnerships to develop new business, both within Hawaii and in markets worldwide.
Special events not to be missed are the Talk Story with Sophia the Robot Luncheon and Networking Reception on October 1, the "Human Brand" Luncheon and Aloha Reception – featuring cuisine from 20 restaurants – on October 2, and the Tourism Legacy Awards Lunch on October 3.
Mahalo for your continued support of Hawaii’s tourism industry.
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Artificial Intelligence at G
lobal Tourism Summit
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Artificial intelligence (AI) and its growing significance in tourism’s future will turn heads at this year’s Global Tourism Summit.
Attendees can meet Sophia - Hanson Robotics’ most advanced human-like robot, created by combining breakthrough innovations in robotics, AI and artistry. Using remarkable expressiveness, aesthetics and interactivity, Sophia can simulate a full range of facial expressions, track and recognize faces, and hold natural conversations with people.
Sophia has become a much-sought-after media personality, appearing on popular TV shows such as CBS'
60 Minutes, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
, and
Good Morning Britain
.
Sophia donates her body, brain and AI to help advance AI research and development for a benevolent future.
Participants can register online at
www.globaltourismsummithawaii.com
,
and choose from one of several options below that features savings for groups, students and faculty.
Individuals
: Full Summit Registration, October 1-3: $425
Group Package (Minimum of 8 people)
: Full Summit Registration, October 1-3: $2,600 total, a savings of $100 per person. Groups can mix and match different attendees during the conference.
Students and Faculty Members
: Full Summit Registration, October 1-3: $150
Students
: 1-Day Summit Registration, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday: $50
Individuals
: 2-Day Summit Registration, October 1-2: $315
(Includes attendance to the Luncheon featuring Talk Story with Sophia the Robot, as well as the Networking Reception on October 1, and the Aloha Reception on October 2)
Individuals
: 2-Day Summit Registration, October 2-3: $295
(Includes attendance to the Aloha Reception on October 2 and Tourism Legacy Awards Lunch on October 3)
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Growing The Next Generation of Leaders
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The Oahu-based Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) Community Program by Kupu prepares youth for the workforce by providing life-skills training, job and volunteer opportunities, and encouragement with a goal of meaningfully impacting local communities.
Participants engage in a 25-week program focusing on three major themes: malama aina
(
caring for the land), education, and job/internship readiness. Program activities include
forest restoration utilizing native plants, work in a loi kalo (irrigated taro terrace), and loko ia (fishpond) restoration.
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Mentorship is a major component of the program. Kupu staff members and community youth team leaders guide participants throughout the program,
ensuring each student feels a sense of camaraderie among their peers.
HYCC has inspired many of its youth participants to reconnect with their cultural identity and strive toward future aspirations.
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Na Wahine O Ke Kai Attracts Best in Sport
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On September 23, one of the world’s premier female outrigger canoe racing competitions took place in the Kaiwi Channel, the Na Wahine O Ke Kai. The 41-mile race began at Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai and ended at Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki.
The Na Wahine O Ke Kai has flourished over the years, attracting female paddling crews from around the world in large part due to the tireless efforts of race supporters, volunteers and crew members past and present who participate each year.
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The race is coordinated annually by director Hannie Anderson and members of the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Association, which was both founded and held the inaugural channel race in 1979. The founding mission of the association was proving that women could paddle across the Kaiwi Channel, which separates the islands of Oahu and Molokai. Nearly 40 years later, the Na Wahine O Ke Kai competition remains a popular event in the worldwide paddling community.
HTA is proud to support Na Wahine O Ke Kai through its Community Enrichment Program. For more information, visit
www.nawahineokekai.com
.
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Did You Know?:
Princess Kaiulani
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Princess Victoria Kawekiu Kaiulani Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Cleghorn was born to Princess Miriam Likelike and Archibald Cleghorn on October 16, 1875. Kaiulani was the Crown Princess and heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Known for her grace, poise, beauty and intelligence, Kaiulani is an important figure in Hawaiian history.
While studying abroad in 1893, Kaiulani received word of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and quickly traveled to Washington, D.C., to speak personally with President Grover Cleveland, seeking advocacy in persuading Congress to restore the kingdom. Despite Kaiulani’s diplomacy efforts, however, the monarchy was never restored.
Kaiulani returned home in 1897 as a private citizen of the Republic of Hawaii. A year later, Hawaii became a United States Territory. Plagued by illness and a broken heart for her kingdom, Kaiulani passed away unexpectedly at the age of 23, less than six months after Hawaii’s official annexation. She is interred at Mauna Ala (the Royal Mausoleum) in Nuuanu Valley on Oahu.
Today, a portrait of Hawaii’s beloved princess is proudly showcased at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel in Waikiki, flanked by kahili (feather standards).
The 143
rd
anniversary of the birth of Princess Kaiulani is being celebrated this year during Alii Sunday services at Kawaiahao Church, near downtown Honolulu, on October 14; and at the annual Princess Kaiulani Keiki Hula Festival, set for October 10-16 at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel.
For more information about the festival, contact the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel concierge at (808) 922-5811. For more information on the Alii Sunday services calendar, visit
www.kawaiahao.org/about-us/alii-sunday/
.
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Special Discount for L.A. Clippers Hawaii Game
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The Los Angeles Clippers have returned to Honolulu for the second consecutive year to prepare for the upcoming NBA season, with training camp at the Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus, September 24-30.
On September 30 at 3:30 p.m., the Clippers play against the Sydney Kings of Australia’s National Basketball League in the Clippers Hawaii Classic.
Tickets are on sale now with prices ranging from $25 to $150. Group rates are also available.
Click
here
and use the special promo code "
HTA2018
" to receive a discount on your tickets.
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Optimize Project Success with Fall Workshops
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Sign up by October 22 to participate in
all-day Growing Success II workshops
, which will be held on
Maui (October 30), Kauai (October 31), the island of Hawaii (November 1) and Oahu (November 2). Attendees will gain insights on how to enhance the success of their events and projects.
Held in partnership between
HTA and the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), workshops will discuss how to apply for sponsorship proposals and compile follow-up reports, navigate the creative process and ensure ideas remain fresh, plan for success through marketing and make the most of a branded social media presence.
The workshops are open to the public and the cost to attend is $35.
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HTA Seeks to Support Signature Events
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HTA will be providing funding support for 2019
Signature Events in resort areas on Maui, Kauai, the island of Hawaii, and at Ko Olina on Oahu.
HTA-supported Signature Events
attract global travelers
to Hawaii.
These
major festivals and events
offer
unique, world-class experiences
throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Examples of Signature Events currently supported by HTA include Aloha Festivals, Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, Honolulu Festival, Maui Film Festival, Koloa Plantation Days Festival and Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.
The deadline for applicants to submit proposals is November 9, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. HST.
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Over 150 C
ulinary Artists
at Hawaii Festival
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From October 6-28, experience the extraordinary culinary talents of more than 150 Hawaii and internationally renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, winemakers and mixologists matched with a diversity of Hawaii-grown produce, meats and seafood at the eighth annual Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (HFWF).
This year's Festival kicks off on the island of Hawaii, October 6, with the first event, Under the Tuscan Sun, a six-course feast aiming to bring the inspired food and drink of central Italy’s rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards to attendees. The event is set for the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
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HFWF moves to Maui, October 19-21, for multiple events, including Roy’s 21
st
Annual Golf Classic, Spiked! at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, and Symphony of Flavors at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. And for the first time in HFWF history, the fest is including a Maui edition of its annual Keiki in the Kitchen cooking classes, set for Whalers Village Center Court in Kaanapali, October 21. Keiki in the Kitchen moves to Oahu and the Hawaii Convention Center rooftop on October 28, featuring an all-new Hawaii-Made Marketplace by Kids for Kids, showcasing goodies crafted by Hawaii’s youngest aspiring chefs.
Finishing on Oahu, October 24-28, HFWF drops in on Ward Village for Crops and Hops, an October 24 grazing event spotlighting emerging Hawaii-grown produce and local craft beer brewing. On October 27, at Ko Olina Resort’s Kohala Lagoon I, a dozen chefs from Hawaii and around the world converge in the kitchen for Decadence, a feast on the beach with fireworks to end the evening.
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Oahu
Sept. 22-Oct. 7
Oct. 20
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Kauai
Oct. 13
Oct. 19-20
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Island of Hawaii
Oct. 6
Oct. 9-14
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HTUSA Recognized at Travel Agent Gala
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Hawaii Tourism United States (HTUSA) was honored with the Destination Partner of the Year Award at the National Association of Career Travel Agents
(NACTA) gala dinner in August. The event marked the culmination of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Global Convention and the NACTA Conference, held in Washington, D.C., August 20-25.
More than 500 advisors attended the two trade shows, and their general sessions and networking events. HTUSA and eight Hawaii suppliers participated in roundtables and two destination presentations drawing 170 attendees.
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Music Weekend at New York Botanical Garden
Musicians from Hawaii took the stage at Music Weekend, the August highlight of New York Botanical Garden’s continuing “Georgia O’Keeffe: Visions of Hawaii” exhibit. HTUSA assisted with programming logistics for evening concert performances by Kamakakehau Fernandez, Kapono Nailiili, Ledward Kaapana and Willie K, as well as a Sunday afternoon All-Star Jam Session featuring all of the weekend’s participating musicians. Music Weekend was held on August 18 and 19.
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Strengthening Sister-City Relationship in Japan
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Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ) participated in the RKB Hawaii Fukuoka Matsuri event, held in
Fukuoka City,
August 16-19. With Fukuoka and Hawaii having maintained a sister-city relationship for many years, HTJ worked to raise continued interest in and awareness of
the Hawaiian Islands among
consumers in the Fukuoka region.
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The Aloha Program provided an intermediate-level seminar and workshop for 22 Hawaii specialists led by Aloha Program curator
Masakazu
Asanuma,
who spoke of Hawaii’s culture and history, and affinities between Japan and the Aloha State. A workshop on Hawaii-grown coffee by Aloha Coffee Lab provided an opportunity to engage consumer interest in less-familiar topics related to Hawaii.
Throughout the event, HTJ worked with the Nisei Veterans Legacy Center to organize a Japanese immigrant photo exhibit as well as a guided tour further perpetuating affinities shared by the two cities and their countries.
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HTJ Partners with Tommy Bahama Ginza
In August, HTJ continued its event partnership with Tommy Bahama Ginza restaurant designed to revitalize travel to the island of Hawaii. A keiki (children’s) hula dance show featuring songs from the island of Hawaii was presented on August 25, followed by a special live ukulele performance with Jody Kamisato on August 29, both held at the restaurant.
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The performances were arranged as part of continuing island of Hawaii recovery events with a mission of piquing interest in
visiting the destination among
Japanese consumers. Other events and special restaurant menu items related to the island of Hawaii will be offered at the Tommy Bahama Ginza location through September.
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HTO Hosts Travel Conference and FAMs
TravelManagers, a major travel agency group in Australia, hosted its annual conference in Honolulu, August 17-19. Hawaii Tourism Oceania (HTO) hosted the conference’s Friday night welcome cocktail function for more than 350 conference attendees at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort and arranged for performers from the Polynesian Cultural Center to open the conference with a production that included a hula lesson for the group. HTO also assisted in planning an all-day team-building race around Waikiki, which offered 25 groups of TravelManagers team members an opportunity to explore Oahu’s sights, attractions, hotels, shops and restaurants, checking off challenges on the race course. In addition, HTO staffed one of the trade show’s most popular booths, visited by more than 200 agents.
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HTO also hosted two pre-conference and two post-conference FAM trips for 52 TravelManagers Conference attendees. The groups visited Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii. Travel itineraries, curated by HTO in partnership with the Island Chapters, promoted the diversity and culture of each of the visited islands.
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HTO Launches Partnership with Sydney Kings
In conjunction with the Sydney Kings and Aqua-Aston Hospitality, HTO
conducted a promotion in July and August
offering participants an opportunity to win a family vacation to watch the Australian professional men’s basketball team play the NBA’s L.A. Clippers in a Honolulu exhibition game in September.
The prize included roundtrip flights to Hawaii for four people, five-night accommodations at Aqua-Aston Hospitality’s The Residences at Waikiki Beach Tower, tickets to the Clippers-Kings Honolulu game, VIP experiences, a dinner with the Sydney Kings, and an exclusive breakfast with Kings players and coaches. The contest drew more than 6,900 entries, with a reach of over 250,000 on social media. It was also promoted on live streams of Sydney Kings match-ups with teams from Japan and the United States.
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Canadian Journalists Visit Six Hawaiian Islands
As part of a multi-tiered marketing campaign, Hawaii Tourism Canada (HTCAN) invited two freelance journalists from
The Globe and Mail
, Caitlin Agnew and Amanda Ross, on a trip to Hawaii to collectively explore the six main islands. Caitlin traveled from Toronto, Ontario, to Oahu, the island of Hawaii and Molokai, where she experienced adventures highlighting culture, ecotourism and cuisine.
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Amanda explored Kauai, Lanai and Maui. As part of HTCAN’s campaign with
The Globe and Mail
– one of Canada’s top national newspapers – each island visited by journalists Agnew and Ross will be featured biweekly in the coveted Pursuits section of the newspaper’s weekend edition beginning in September.
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Success with Quebec Travel Agents in Montreal
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Recognized in the industry as avid international travelers, French Canadians represent a growth market opportunity for Hawaii. With that in mind,
HTCAN prominently showcased the Hawaiian Islands
at the Groupe Atrium Annual Travel Conference, held in August in Montreal, Quebec.
Agents attending the conference appreciated
learning about the destination and receiving French-language materials.
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Hawaii Named Chinese Outlet's Best MICE Island
Hawaii was honored with the 2018 Best MICE Island award
at the 2018
China MICE Magazine
Annual Meeting in August
in Beijing
. The meeting was organized by the MICE Committee of China Association and
China MICE Magazine
, the latter a leading MICE industry media
entity
targeting the high-end MICE market. The magazine has a circulation of more than 30,000.
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The China MICE Annual Meeting is a top professional industry event in China. Its annual awards are voted on by
China MICE
readers and industry experts from hotel and airline companies, MICE agencies and professional conference organizers based on destination facilites and MICE case studies. More than 150
tourism industry professionals attended the awards ceremony.
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HTC Promotes Hawaii as a Fitness Destination
Hawaii Tourism China (HTC) partnered with KEEP, a Chinese lifestyle mobile app with more than 35 million active users, and Joy City, a popular Shanghai hangout destination for youth, on Happy Healthy Hawaii: Island Styles of the Seasons, a two-part integrated campaign encouraging Chinese millennials to visit the Hawaiian Islands.
As part of the collaboration with KEEP, the app’s fitness-minded community could utilize an in-app virtual running route allowing them to experience a variety of spectacular Hawaii views. KEEP users were also able to cash in their in-app accumulated points for attractive prizes. Promoted via KEEP’s digital channels, the campaign generated a viewership of more than 17.7 million.
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In partnership with Joy City, HTC and KEEP conducted a 12-day indoor roadshow featuring a shopping center pop-up interactive exhibit titled “Calories Department Store”, from August 29 to September 9, during which shoppers could utilize fitness equipment enabling them to see Hawaii scenery. The roadshow reached more than 420,000 shoppers.
Collectively, the integrated Happy Healthy Hawaii campaign offered participants an opportunity to learn more about the Hawaiian Islands. A lucky winner even won a pair of round-trip flights to Hawaii.
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Hawaii Ukulele Music Festival in Hong Kong
Hawaii Tourism Hong Kong (HTHK) recently assisted the Hong Kong Ukulele Association with organizing the Hong Kong Ukulele Festival, held in August at the Central Harbourfront in Tamar Park.
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With public relations support provided by HTHK, the ukulele festival attracted more than 3,200 attendees, who were immersed in Hawaii’s culture through several activities, including a music concert, craft workshops and numerous gaming pavilions. Ukulele fans even brought their own instruments to the festival and joined in on the festival’s jam session. The music festival promotes Hawaiian culture among Hong Kong citizens and potential travelers.
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HTK Attends 2018 Modetour Travel Mart
From August 30 to September 2, Hawaii Tourism Korea (HTK) participated in the 5
th
annual Modetour Travel Mart (MTM) held at the COEX Center in Seoul. The Hawaii Pavilion at MTM was set up to accommodate 15 partners in 13 booths. HTK held
one-on-one meetings with Modetour’s retailers during a B2B session on the first day
of the show.
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The weekend also featured multiple booth events highlighted by ukulele, hula and song performances, as well as Kona-grown coffee and Kona-crafted beer tastings. The showcases provided attendees an opportunity to experience a sampling of Hawaiian culture. MTM attracted more than 110,000 attendees over its four days and generated 716 bookings of Hawaii packages, honeymoons and airtel products, amounting to a 33 percent increase in bookings at the show compared to 2017.
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MCI Educational Seminar Held with Redcap Tour
On August 23, HTK’s Meetings, Conventions and Incentives (MCI) team conducted an educational seminar and networking luncheon with leading Korea-based travel agency Redcap Tour MICE to pitch Hawaii as a top-of-mind MCI destination. HTK introduced the audience to the Hawaiian Islands from an MCI perspective and shared in-depth destination information with them. Following the seminar, a Hawaii-inspired lunch further brought out the Aloha Spirit among attendees.
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HTSEA Connects with Industry Professionals
Hawaii Tourism Southeast Asia’s (HTSEA) Aloha Land of Smiles Sales Mission 2018 was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 24, kicking off with a marketing presentation and welcome dinner for stakeholders. The program attracted 74 local agents from 50 travel agencies and 13 stakeholders altogether. Attending travel agents participated in 15-minute roundtable meetings to learn about the services provided by the stakeholders.
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Travel agents were also tasked with creating a six-day Oahu itinerary based on material taught during the program. The itineraries were then evaluated according to clarity, creativity and feasibility. Agents crafting the top three itineraries were rewarded with a special gift from HTSEA. Through the Aloha Land of Smiles Sales Mission, HTSEA successfully raised awareness of the Hawaiian Islands among attendees.
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HTT Partners with EBC News to Feature Hawaii
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Hoping to boost visitor numbers from Taiwan and provide accurate media messaging about Kilauea volcano activity on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Taiwan (HTT) worked with
Global Focus
–
a TV news program on Taiwan-based cable news channel EBC News – to produce a special episode focused on the Hawaiian Islands
.
With assistance from the Island Chapters, HTT crafted a travel itinerary for the
Global News
production crew showcasing the island of Hawaii and Oahu. The crew filmed
on-location from August 19-30.
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On the island of Hawaii, the production crew visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit, interviewed community heroes, night snorkeled with manta rays, and participated in a shark and Hawaiian green sea turtle research snorkel with activities company One Ocean Diving. On Oahu, the crew visited Kualoa Ranch, interviewed nonprofit Paepae o Heeia cultural practitioners at Heeia Fishpond, and visited loi kalo (irrigated taro terraces) at nonprofit Papahana Kuaola.
The one-hour episode of
Global News
featuring Hawaii is expected to air in November or December.
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HTE Press Trips Result in TV Coverage of Hawaii
Two recent Hawaii press trips hosted by Hawaii Tourism Europe (HTE) generated exciting coverage on
France 2
's
Telematin
, spotlighting Hawaii filming locations of the summer 2018 action-adventure blockbuster film
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
. The episode of
Telematin
featuring the Islands aired in August, with coverage also shared via social media. In November, the program will be shown on Air France flights as a supplement to screenings of the movie. Air France has a captive audience of more than one million passengers each month.
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Britain Magazine Praises Hawaii’s Beaches
The Hawaiian Islands were collectively awarded the designation of Best Island for Beaches in
Conde Nast Traveller Britain’s
recent 2018 Readers’ Travel Awards. The annual award list highlights the best destinations, hotels, spas, airlines, cruises and tour operators around the world, as voted by readers of the magazine and its website. The recognition reaffirms that Hawaii is an enticing leisure
destination among the publication’s readers, keeping the Hawaiian Islands top-of-mind and increasing travel demand
for the state.
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Keep in touch with HTA via social media:
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HTA recognizes the use of the 'okina ['] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ō] 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.
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