Travel agents from around Australia and New Zealand are embracing the ‘Aloha Spirit’ this month, as Hawaii Tourism travels around the two countries for their annual roadshow.
Some 200 agents turned up to the Sydney event at the Westin on Wednesday night, while around 240 agents hula’d to the Auckland and Melbourne shows earlier this month.
Now with only Brisbane and Gold Coast left, Ashlee Galea, Country Manager Australia at Hawaii Tourism Oceania says the roadshows give agents the opportunity to get more information on the destination and even experience a bit of Hawaii themselves.
Leis decorated the rooms – and agents necks – while traditional Hawaiian performers took to the stage to set the Hawaiian scene with ukelele backed music and hula dances.
Hawaii team in Australia.
There was also 25 industry partners around the room feeding consultants all the information they need to sell the destination to their clients.
Among the partners was Dale Carstensen from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, who told KarryOn that the roadshow was important not just to update agents but so he too could learn about the changes in the Australian market and Australian travel desires.
“Before we were so reliant on working with our key wholesalers for the distribution system, but it seems to be evolving.”
Dale Carstensen, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Director of Sales & Marketing Leisure Sales Hawaii
“The partners are now part of the business and we have to understand this as hoteliers and suppliers as how to be able to work with each of them to maximise our opportunity to bring our customers from Australia to our islands.”
[L-R]: Barrett from Pacific Beach Hotel; John from Kaanpali Beach Hotel; and Dale from Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
This was backed by John White from Kaanapali Beach Hotel, who says Australians are relatively familiar with Hawaii’s appeal, but there’s still so much more to learn.
“The agents that come out ask great questions. They’re really eager and really keen to learn about Hawaii.”
John White, Kaanapali Beach Hotel Director of Sales and Marketing
So why should Australians go to Hawaii?
According to John the people and the culture make it a special holiday spot that other destinations can’t compete with.
Dale conquered, saying Hawaii is the most unique destination in the world.
He explained that Australians fit with the local people and they can’t escape the fact that every island is unique, there’s great food and great opportunities for activity and fun.
Check out the video above for more.
Meanwhile, Ashlee Galea, Country Manager Australia at Hawaii Tourism Oceania says the Australian market to Hawaii has skyrocketed over the last few years, particularly amongst repeat visitors.