Encouraging Travel to Hawai`i
During meetings in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, the Governor focused on maximizing opportunities for Chinese tourists to travel to Hawai`i. Her discussions with key Chinese and U.S. officials centered on two critical areas – expediting the application process for Chinese visitors traveling to the U.S. and preparing for the first nonstop scheduled airline service from China to Hawai`i, which is expected to begin early next year.
Governor Lingle meets with Mr. Shao Qiwei, chairman of the China National Tourism Administration.
Building on the progress made since Hawai`i and the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) formed a cooperative agreement to increase two-way travel between Hawai`i and China in 2005, Governor Lingle met with Mr. Shao Qiwei, chairman of CNTA.
Governor Lingle and Chairman Shao discussed the current situation of Chinese tourists going to Hawai`i, including: visa issues, new developments in group leisure tour program, and the steps that can be taken by the United States and China to increase the number of Chinese visitors.
Governor Lingle also spoke of the first scheduled direct air service between China and Hawai`i, which is expected to start early next year, and Chairman Shao pledged his resources to support and encourage more Chinese tourists to travel to Hawai`i.
While in Hong Kong, Governor Lingle met with Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Rita Lau. As part of her focus on Hong Kong’s economy, the Secretary is also responsible for the tourism portfolio.
Governor Lingle speaks with airline industry leaders in Shanghai.
With nearly 30 million visitors each year – half of which are from China – Governor Lingle, Secretary Lau and senior officials from the Hong Kong Tourism Board discussed Hong Kong's experience in attracting and hosting Chinese tourists.
In Shanghai, Governor Lingle met with travel industry media representatives and business leaders and shared that travel to Hawai`i is a perfect complement to the intense and rapid-paced lifestyle of Shanghai and other urban Chinese cities. The Governor explained that Hawai`i not only does Hawai`i have a good balance of relaxation, shopping and an active cultural scene, but it also offers a great value and provides a safe environment for families and inter-generational travel.
On the Governor's first day in China, she met with U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman to continue discussions they had in Honolulu in August to ensure that obtaining a U.S. travel visa will not be an obstacle to traveling to Hawai`i or the rest of the U.S.
U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman.
Ambassador Huntsman confirmed that U.S. consular offices throughout China offer scheduled appointments and set aside specific times to process group leisure travel visa applications. To facilitate last-minute travel, which is especially important for Chinese travelers who want to participate in a conference or event in Hawai`i, the embassy also offers a last-minute visa application process. In addition, at Governor Lingle’s request, the ambassador and the chief of the consular section agreed to designate a point of contact at each consulate in China with whom Hawai`i officials can work to ensure that obtaining a U.S. travel visa is not an obstacle for Chinese to travel to Hawai`i or the rest of the U.S.
Governor Lingle also spoke to tourism industry leaders in China, including tour wholesalers, travel agents and airline executives. During discussions with the tourism officials, Governor Lingle and Hawai`i Tourism Authority Chairman Kelvin Bloom provided an update about the anticipated start of Beijing-Honolulu service on Hainan Airlines, as well as other efforts Hawai`i tourism leaders are undertaking to prepare for Chinese visitors. Governor Lingle and Bloom also held a roundtable discussion and interviews with Chinese media, including travel and leisure writers, to promote Hawai`i as a visitor destination.
