Hawaii Tourism’s networking brunch held at The Ivy in Sydney turned out to be a success.
Last Tuesday 16th September, Hawaii Tourism Oceania held a networking event to update the Hawaiian Ohana ( family) in Australia, on the latest information on visitor trends and statistics and to share plans with industry for promoting Hawaii in 2015.
Special guests at the event were Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO Mike McCartney who is in Australia to attend a Destination Q conference ( Tourism Queensland) as a guest speaker. McCartney addressed the audience to share insights into the Hawaiian culture and island experience as well as the meaning of Aloha.
Australian visitor numbers to Hawai‘i exceeded 300,000 in 2013 for the first time in history and the love affair with Australian travellers continues in 2014. This year we have managed to maintain visitor numbers for 2014 after three consecutive years of strong growth and interest and intent to travel remains strong with an increase in visitation for July of 6.6% for Oceania and 0.8%.
HTO is also excited about significant increases in air seats for 2015. Qantas are introducing a 4th flight (5 in peak periods) from Sydney, as well as upgrading from B767s to A330s in December and Jetstar are introducing Brisbane – Honolulu flights also in December and putting the Dreamliner on the Hawaii route next year. Also from Brisbane, Hawaiian Airlines will be changing to an A330 aircraft.
Ashlee Galea, Country Manager for Australia addressed the audience highlighting increases in visitation to the four most popular islands in Hawaii and the fact that more Australian’s are including more than one island on their trip. ‘ We will engage in a number of brand activities in 2015 that will show the diversity and personalities of the four main islands, highlighting points of difference and giving consumers a compelling reason to travel. Trade continue to play an important role for us as 60% of Hawaii visitors book their trip through a travel agent’ continued Galea.