TORONTO — However well-intentioned, the decision to stay away from Maui in the wake of Lahaina’s devastating wildfire earlier this year is doing the island more harm than good.
That was the take-home message from the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s luncheon yesterday, attended by consumer news publications, trade media and more. Mingling with the media were reps from several Hawaiian islands including Oahu and Kauai, as well as the HTA.
Lorenzo Campos, Account Director, Hawaii Tourism Canada, drove the point home. “I know a lot of people aren’t going to Maui out of respect, and that respect is important. But by not visiting Maui, travellers are depriving Maui of cash flow,” said Campos.
He added: “They need those dollars, to keep the economy going. Your readers, your clients can have the complete Maui experience. The whole island is open, just not Lahaina.”
The wildfire swept through Lahaina on Aug. 9. Just about two months later, the phased reopening of West Maui accommodations got underway. The rest of West Maui north of Lahaina — Phases 2 and 3 from Kahana to Kaanapali — began reopening Nov. 1.
Updates are posted at the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s site.
Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Senior Brand Manager, Jadie Goo, summed it up: “The best way to support Maui is to tell your family, friends and clients to come visit. We need your help.”
“WE LOVE CANADIANS”
Also at yesterday’s event, Maile Brown, Director of Marketing, Kauai Visitors Bureau, and Karishma Chowfin, Director of Sales, Oahu Visitors Bureau, were on hand to spread the word about their respective islands.
Canada is Kauai’s largest international market, delivering 5 – 7% of the island’s overall visitation pre-pandemic. Now that percentage is just shy of 4%, said Brown, and she’s sure it will rise as Canada’s outbound market stabilizes. “Canada has always been very important to us,” she said.
The big news on Kauai is the ultra-upscale 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, formerly the St. Regis Princeville. A multi-million dollar renovation has transformed the resort, which reopened earlier this year. “They took it up a notch, and it was very luxurious to begin with,” said Brown, adding “the gym and the fitness facilities are off the charts.”
Meanwhile Oahu’s Chowfin couldn’t say enough positive things about the Canadian market.
“Canadians are wonderful, responsible travellers,” said Chowfin. “Not only that, but they stay longer and they get out and go to our local restaurants. We love Canadians.”
Airlift to Oahu includes seasonal daily nonstop flights from Toronto to Honolulu with Air Canada.
For more information on Hawaii see HawaiiTourismAuthority.org.
Image at top: Lorenzo Campos, Account Director, Hawaii Tourism Canada and the HTA’s Senior Brand Manager, Jadie Goo (at right) with (from left) Karishma Chowfin, Director of Sales, Oahu Visitors Bureau and Maile Brown, Director of Marketing, Kauai Visitors Bureau
