Travel agents, if you haven’t already seen an increase in Australians booking Hawaii then you should start experiencing a rise in the coming months.
Why? Because Hawaii Tourism Oceania is taking images of its beaches, culture and activities straight to Australian travellers for the first time.
This morning, the tourism bureau launched its first consumer brand campaign in Australia aimed at generating more awareness for the destination and building on the ever-growing number of Aussie visitors.
The ‘Paradise begins with Aloha’ digital campaign lets visitors to the Hawaii Tourism Oceania website go on a virtual tour of the Hawaiian Islands and then curate their own dream trip by selecting various experiences across the four main islands – O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i, the Big Island.
Users will be able to select activities such as hiking the crater rim that trails Kilauea, taking a helicopter flight to see waterfalls, forests and canyons on Kauai Island, absorbing history, culture and food in downtown Honolulu or watching the sun rise at the top of Haleakala crater on Maui.
Once the itinerary is compiled, the user can go in the running to win their dream trip for four people including airfares and accommodation.
To accompany the virtual experience and competition, Flight Centre was selected as a chosen retail partner to provide deals.
Hawai’i Tourism Oceania Country Manager Australia, Kerri Anderson, said there’s more to the destination than what Australians have seen in pop culture.
“With the help of popular culture, most Australians have some level of familiarity with Hawai’i and those who have been love the destination.”
Kerri Anderson, Hawai’i Tourism Oceania Country Manager Australia
“This campaign showcases the depth and breadth of experiences across the neighbour islands beyond sun, surf and sand by highlighting the dramatic geographical diversity, and also the great food, culture, history and range of experiences on each island.
“Where else in the world can you be relaxing on the beach in the morning, hiking to waterfalls by lunchtime and watching the sunset and stargazing from a snow-capped peak in the evening?”
Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines has taken over North Bondi to sponsor the famous North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club’s iconic surf boats as well as the Rough Water and North Bondi Classic ocean swim races held in January and February.
Competitors go into a random draw for one lucky male and one lucky female to win a trip to Hawaii, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines.
According to latest figures, around 333,998 Aussies visited Hawaii last year, that was a 7.8 percent increase on 2014. The average stay for an Australian is around 9.53 days and they’re spending roughly $802.26 million.
Some 45 percent of Australians who visit Hawaii will return for a second trip.
