Hawaii’s tourism authority is set to reconnect with UK travel agents through a series of events after a hiatus of four years. These events aim to re-establish Hawaii’s presence in the UK market, with a focus on agents in Manchester and London.
- Hawaii Tourism Europe plans to offer enticing incentives, including holiday giveaways, to UK travel agents at these upcoming events.
- The number of European visitors to Hawaii has declined by 5% this year, with tourist spending also dropping significantly.
- The upcoming ‘Aloha Europe Sales Mission’ presents an opportunity for agents to engage directly with Hawaiian tourism partners.
- These events will feature interactive sessions, cultural performances, and a chance to win trips to Hawaii, highlighting the destination’s rich cultural and natural offerings.
Hawaii Tourism Europe (HTE) is making a notable return to the UK market, organising events for travel agents in Manchester and London after a four-year break. The Manchester event will take place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on September 9, followed by the London event at Six Park Place on September 10. These events are designed to revitalise Hawaii’s engagement with the UK travel industry, providing a platform for agents to gain firsthand insights into the destination’s offerings.
Fleur Sainsbury, HTE’s UK market manager, describes this initiative as a ‘pivotal moment’ for reinforcing Hawaii’s standing in the market. Engaging with travel agents is seen as crucial to increasing visitor numbers from Europe. Although the number of European visitors has dropped to 35,637 from 37,611 compared to the previous year, the tourist spend has decreased more significantly. In 2019, for the first five months, there were 54,975 visitors, spending $117.7 million. This contrasts with the $97.1 million spent in the first half of this year and the $119.6 million last year.
The events, termed the ‘Aloha Europe Sales Mission’, are structured to reconnect with both existing and potential partners. The mission is clear: to position Hawaii as a top destination in the minds of UK travellers considering the USA. One of the highlights of these events includes speed dating-style meetings, enabling agents to dialogue directly with suppliers. Key Hawaiian tourism stakeholders from Kauaʻi, O’ahu, and the island of Hawaiʻi, alongside hotel and attraction representatives, will be present to provide in-depth information and updates.
Attendees can look forward to cultural performances, live music, and intriguing discussions. Notably, each evening concludes with one lucky agent winning a trip to Hawaii, inclusive of United Airlines flights and accommodation provided by partners such as Outrigger and Waikīkī Collection. This incentive is intended to invigorate interest amongst agents and inspire them to promote more intricate itineraries that showcase Hawaii’s unique experiences.
Fleur Sainsbury highlighted the importance of this opportunity for agents to deepen their understanding of Hawaii’s diverse attractions and cultural heritage. In addition, HTE has scheduled further meetings for product managers in Chester and London, ensuring comprehensive coverage and engagement across the UK.
Hawaii’s strategic engagement with UK agents aims to rejuvenate interest and strengthen market presence.
