LINGLE-AIONA ADMINISTRATION AND HOTEL INDUSTRY LEADERS STRATEGIZE ON PLAN TO BOLSTER HAWAI`I TOURISM
For Immediate Release: August 26, 2008
HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today met with 25 hotel owners and operators from around the state to discuss collaborative short- and long-term efforts to get Hawai‘i’s tourism industry back on track.
The Governor, who arranged the 90-minute meeting with the hoteliers, described the gathering as a positive and forward-looking discussion in which everyone focused on what key, aggressive steps can be taken to increase visitors and visitor spending both in the coming months as well as in the long-term.
“We know from prior experience that the current slowdown in the visitor market will eventually turn around, but we don’t want to just wait for that to happen,” said Governor Lingle. “We want to do something now, and I appreciate the hotel industry’s willingness to work together on finding innovative solutions to bolster our tourism market. Rather than dwell on the challenges facing the industry and our economy, these industry leaders are looking forward.”
A major focus of the discussions included earmarking more money for marketing. The Governor and the hoteliers are recommending that the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) reallocate an additional $10 million in HTA’s budget for marketing.
“Investing in marketing our state’s visitor industry is crucial to conveying our message that Hawai‘i provides visitors with value,” said Governor Lingle. “This investment is not just about filling hotel rooms, but is critical to all other industries, including retail, restaurants, tour operators, car rental companies, visitor attractions, and the countless other businesses that rely on tourism. Investing in marketing Hawai‘i will result in increased revenue to the state and the bolstering of our economy.”
While most of the hotel properties indicated they were reaching out to the kama‘āina market with special rates and package deals, the general agreement during the meeting was the need to bring new money into the state.
As part of the marketing outreach, Governor Lingle and Lt. Governor Aiona are planning separate trips to Asia in November to promote Hawai‘i’s visitor industry, and there was discussion regarding similar trips to California.
In order to obtain a comprehensive outlook of the hotel industry, Governor requested that the hotel operators provide her with their projections for the first and second quarters of 2009. The Administration will work with the hotels to use the information to better plan its marketing and outreach strategy.
Participants in today’s meeting represented hotel owners and operators of properties statewide, including: Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Prince Hotels Hawai‘i, Ko Olina Beach Club, HTH Corporation, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Halekulani Corporation, Ocean Resort, ResortQuest Hawai‘i, New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Kona Village Resort, ‘Ilima Hotel and the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association. Marsha Wienert, the state’s tourism liaison, assisted the Governor and Lt. Governor in leading today’s discussions.
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For more information, contact:
Marsha Wienert
Tourism Liaison
Tel: (808) 586-2362
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communication
Tel: (808) 586-7708
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Tel: (808) 586-0043
