Leaving ‘Straya’ for the land of Aloha aka Hawaii doesn’t mean you can escape those ‘G’days’ with old ‘mates’ and a few ‘randos’.
According to Kerri Anderson, Country Manager, Australia for Hawai’i Tourism Oceania, there’s more and more Aussie accents being heard across the five islands as Australians continue to travel to Hawaii in record numbers.
But don’t be ‘devo’, it’s ‘defo’ a good thing because it means Aussies can feel more at home across the Pacific.
Between January and June this year, some 158,000 Australian holidaymakers travelled to Hawaii and spent some $2,252 per trip.
Expenditure for the six months climbed by eight percent compared to the same period last year, while the number of nights in Hawaii remained at around an average of nine.
The Australian market continues to smash records, with Anderson telling media at an update in Sydney last night, that there’s still a strong desire for Australians to travel to Hawaii.
“They are still loving the destination and still going to the destination.”
Kerri Anderson, Hawai’i Tourism Oceania Country Manager
Gai Tyrrell, Regional Director Australia & New Zealand at Hawaiian Airlines & Heather Jeffery Director at The PR Team.
To the left: Cynthia Rankin, Regional Director, Corporate Communications at Hilton Hawaii
While satisfied with the figures, she told KarryOn there was still work to do to ensure Hawaii remains top of mind for first time (roughly 50 percent of arrivals) and repeat visitors (45 percent).
“Australia is Hawaii’s third largest international market,” she explained.
“Our aim is to get first timers and repeat visitors and to promote those only in Hawaii experiences you can’t find anywhere else.”
Once Aussies are in Hawaii they’re not just ‘flying and flopping’, but according to Anderson, they’re taking part in local adventure and cultural activities, surfing and enjoying its geographical attributes.
The girls from various Hilton brands in Hawaii travelled to Australia for the event.
Last night’s media update was held at the Hilton Sydney. It was hosted by by Hilton Hawaii and supported by Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaii Tourism.
Representatives from Hilton Hawaii travelled down to Australia for the event, including Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach, which is the first Hawaii Garden Inn in Hawaii.
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach’s chef showcased the property’s culinary treats.
The property opened its doors less than two months ago and is already at full capacity with over 600 rooms booked by mostly Australian, US, Japanese and Korean guests.
Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach brought its chef along to showcase the culinary product available at the hotel.
