2024 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference

The Hawai‘i Tourism Conference was held from September 30–October 2 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, hosted by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority with premier conference partners Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau, Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, and Kilohana by CNHA. Click on the links below to view some of the conference presentations and recorded sessions. Photos are also available on our Facebook page.

Opening Remarks and Keynotes

• Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, M.D. (VIDEO)
  
• Hawai‘i State Senate President Ronald Kouchi (VIDEO)
• Hawai‘i State Senator Lynn DeCoite, Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism (VIDEO)
• Hawai‘i State Representative Sean Quinlan, Chair of the House Committee on Tourism (VIDEO)
• Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism Deputy Director Dane Wicker (VIDEO)
• Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Interim President and CEO Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i (VIDEO)
  
• Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Board Chair and Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association President and CEO Mufi Hannemann (VIDEO)
• Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Joe Sprague (VIDEO)
• Keynote Presentation by Alex Lasry, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (VIDEO) 
• Brand USA and Its Vision for International Travel to the U.S. presented by Fred Dixon, President & CEO of Brand USA (VIDEO) (PDF)
  
  

General & Breakout Sessions

Day 1, Monday, September 30, 2024

• Island By Island: Marketing Strategies Across Hawai‘i (PDF) - We've seen through our commitment to ʻĀina Aloha Economic Futures principles that supporting community and engaging Hawaiʻi businesses better positions Hawaiʻi's people; through our Destination Management Action Plans, protecting natural resources allows the beauty of this place to flourish; and that when we share this kuleana with our visitors, each island has its unique needs and qualities. This panel takes you on a huakaʻi to each island to see what those unique needs and qualities are and how you can get involved.
• Using Geolocation Insights to Drive Regenerative Tourism (PDF) - Join Evan Saunders, VP of Global Tourism and Hospitality at Azira, for this interactive workshop on using real-time, in-market behavior and insights to identify unique traveler audiences and promote critical sustainable tourism initiatives. Learn how these efforts can help manage tourist interactions with culture and natural resources, support community engagement, and manage tourism as visitors explore different destinations throughout the islands.
• Lunch Panel General Session: Emerging Horizons: Leadership in Destination Marketing and Stewardship (VIDEO) - As the tourism landscape evolves, a new era of leadership is emerging—one that requires a balance between economic growth and the well-being of local communities. In this session, explore how collaboration and partnerships can create sustainable, regenerative tourism models. From innovative strategies that drive economic benefits to efforts that enhance the quality of life for residents, we’ll discuss how the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement are taking a holistic approach that benefit both local communities and visitors. Discover how forward-thinking leadership is paving the way for a more sustainable and inclusive future in tourism.
• The Evolving Role of OTAs: Advancing Hawai‘i's Visitor Industry (PDF) - Industry leaders discuss the latest global trends from the perspective of online travel agencies (OTAs), highlight innovative advancements within the industry, and explore how the landscape is evolving both globally and specifically for Hawai‘i. Gain insights into their initiatives that are shaping the future role of OTAs on both the global and local stages.
• Emotional Solidarity: Co-Creating A Win-Win Host-Visitor Experience to Enhance Regenerative Tourism Demand and Support (PDF) - “Emotional Solidarity,” building deeper emotional connections between a destination’s residents and visitors, holds potential for generating a shared sense of welcoming, understanding and emotional closeness between the two groups. In turn, growing these connections strengthens resident sentiment and the visitor experience and the destination’s brand in the minds of travelers. Omnitrak has tapped into its syndicated national Resident Sentiment and TravelTrak America traveler research to show how Emotional Solidarity has the potential to be a win-win-win for residents, visitors and destinations.
• Community-Driven Destination Management: The Transformation of Hā‘ena State Park (PDF) - Hā‘ena State Park is a pioneering example of community-driven management, resulting in a better visitor experience and a renewed sense of pride among residents. However, the journey wasn't without its challenges. This session  explors the successes and unanticipated consequences of Hā‘ena's management model, sharing best practices for community involvement in destination management. Learn what lies ahead for Hā‘ena and how its lessons can inform the future of other destinations.
• Integration of Mālama Hawai‘i Values Into Business Models & Tourism Products (PDF 1) (PDF 2)- Hear from industry leaders about how they incorporate traditional Hawaiian values of "Mālama" into their business models and tourism products. This involves embedding principles of respect, sustainability, and community well-being into their operations and offerings. By doing so, these businesses ensure that they not only honor cultural heritage but also positively impact local communities and the environment, fostering a more responsible and meaningful tourism experience. 

Day 2, Tuesday, October 1, 2024

• Brand USA Marketing Partnership Opportunities (PDF) - Join Suzy Shepard, Director, Global Trade Development and Maya Hua, Senior Manager, Partner Engagement as they provide a comprehensive global market update, offering valuable insights into current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the travel industry. Takeaways include marketing programs that Brand USA produces that partners can participate in.
• Outlook for Traditional Accommodations (PDF 1) (PDF 2) (PDF 3) - Join us for the return of the popular Traditional Accommodations Update. Chase Oeser from STR, Jason Gamel from ARDA, and Keith Vieira from KV & Associates Hospitality Consulting, LLC share the latest trends impacting hotels and timeshare and what this means for you in Hawai‘i.
• HTA’s Qurator Program: Elevating Responsible Tourism in Hawaiʻi Workshop (PDF) - Explore the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority's Qurator Program, a certification initiative promoting responsible tourism. Discover how the program guides businesses in environmental sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement. Hear from certified businesses about the benefits they've gained and learn how the program is shaping a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi's tourism. Gain insights on applying for Qurator certification and showcasing your commitment to responsible tourism practices.
• Innovation and Insights: Advancing Sustainable Tourism and Community Well-being in Hawai‘i - Research from the TIM School (PDF 1) (PDF 2) (PDF 3) (PDF 4) (PDF 5) - Join us for the session organized by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Shidler College of Business, School of Travel Industry Management, where we explore groundbreaking research on improving sustainable tourism practices. This session covers critical topics including the enhancement of communities’ quality of life and destination residents’ well-being, talent management and workforce development, leveraging big data analytics to enhance sustainable tourism and transportation growth, and addressing human trafficking concerns within the industry. Discover how innovative and green strategies can bolster resident well-being and create a more resilient visitor industry across the Hawaiian Islands. Gain valuable insights from leading researchers dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable future for Hawai‘i's communities.
• General Session: Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Overall Brand Marketing Strategies (VIDEO) - An overview of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority's overall brand marketing strategies heading into 2025.
• General Session: 2025 Strategies, Major Campaigns - Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Global Marketing Team presents their 2025 Brand Marketing Plans, sharing market trends and marketing strategies across consumer, PR, and travel trade. The presentations also cover major campaigns and programs planned for the year.
  • Hawai‘i Tourism Canada (VIDEO) (PDF)
  • Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (VIDEO) (PDF)
  • Hawai‘i Tourism Europe (VIDEO) (PDF)
  • Hawai‘i Tourism Korea (VIDEO) (PDF)
  • Hawai‘i Tourism China (VIDEO) (PDF)
  • Hawai‘i Tourism Japan (VIDEO) (PDF)
• General Session: Kilohana – Visitor Post-Arrival Marketing Program (VIDEO) (PDF) - Kilohana by CNHA shares their Visitor Education Post-Arrival Marketing Program activities for the upcoming year.

Day 3, Wednesday, October 2, 2024

• General Session: Transportation Outlook into Hawai‘i (VIDEO) (PDF) - Join Hawai‘i's Director of Transportation Ed Sniffen, Sean Williams from Airlines for America, Nanea Vasta from the Transportation Security Administration, Chris Hawkins from Customs & Border Protection, and Roy Pfund from Robert's Hawai‘i for an outlook on transportation to Hawai‘i.
• Building a Thriving Visitor Economy: Developing Hawai‘i’s Visitor Industry Workforce Pipeline (VIDEO) (PDF) - As Hawai‘i continues to evolve as a global tourism destination, the need for strategic and sustainable development within the visitor industry has never been more critical. This session focuses on the ongoing efforts to create and enhance pipelines that support the growth, resilience, and innovation of Hawai‘i's visitor industry sector. Join key stakeholders representing different sectors of the tourism industry as they share their insights on what needs to be done to ensure the long-term success of Hawai‘i's visitor industry workforce. Gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in building Hawai‘i's tourism pipeline.
• State of the Industry in U.S. Market (VIDEO) (PDF) - How are the attitudes of U.S. Travelers changing? What are the trends impacting destination selection? Join us for insights into the domestic market and the latest findings from "The State of the American Traveler" study. The monthly study asks a representative sample of American travelers to report their experiences and feelings around travel.
• General Session: 2025 Strategies, Major Campaigns - Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Global Marketing Team presents their 2025 Brand Marketing Plan, sharing market trends and marketing strategies across consumer, PR, and travel trade. The presentations also cover major campaigns and programs planned for the year.
  • Hawai‘i Tourism USA (VIDEO) (PDF)
  • Meet Hawai‘i (VIDEO) (PDF)