The spirit of aloha filled venues in Australia and New Zealand as Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania’s Aloha Down Under 2025 roadshow connected advisors, suppliers, and media with the latest updates and cultural experiences.
Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) wrapped up its annual Aloha Down Under 2025 showcase last week, engaging around 700 travel trade professionals across Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.
Over five days, 14 Hawaiian suppliers joined forces with HTO to deliver fresh updates and cultural immersion designed to help advisors inspire clients to book the islands.
From live hula performances by former Miss Hawai‘i Raeceen Satele to Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and prize giveaways worth up to AU$8,000, the roadshow blended training with entertainment to ensure advisors walked away both informed and inspired.
What new tools can agents use to sell Hawai‘i?
HTO unveiled Aloha Hawai‘i, a new agent self-famil programme that gives advisors the chance to create a personalised holiday for themselves and a companion. Offering flexible industry discounts across flights, accommodation, and experiences, the initiative is designed to deepen first-hand knowledge so agents can sell the destination with confidence.
Also launched was Hānau Hawai‘i, a digital guide which highlights authentic cultural encounters and traditions unique to each island, equipping advisors with a storytelling tool to share with clients seeking deeper, more meaningful travel.
What do the latest visitor trends reveal?
According to HTO, visitor arrivals between January and July 2025 dipped slightly compared to 2024, with air capacity reductions of around five per cent contributing to the slowdown. Despite this, HTO said Australians are staying longer, averaging nearly nine days per trip, and demonstrating strong loyalty, with 55 per cent identified as repeat travellers.
For advisors, this means an opportunity to position Hawai‘i not only as a dream destination for first-time visitors but also as a place clients want to revisit, tailoring itineraries to encourage exploration beyond O‘ahu to neighbour islands such as Maui, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i Island.
Central to the roadshow messaging was HTO’s ongoing encouragement of travellers to mālama (care for the islands) and travel pono (responsibly). Advisors are being asked to share these values with clients, ensuring visitor experiences remain respectful while safeguarding Hawai‘i’s environment and culture for future generations.
This year’s event was supported by a strong partner line-up including: Air New Zealand, Aqua-Aston Hospitality, Courtyard Marriott O‘ahu North Shore, Hawaiian Airlines, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Ka La‘i Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts, KapohoKine Adventures, Kualoa Ranch Nature Reserve, Marriott – The Waikiki Collection, OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels, Prince Resorts Hawai‘i, Qantas and Wayfinder Waikiki.
