With much of the travel industry still affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and destinations enforcing new restrictions and health protocols around the world, Hawaii has taken a number of new measures to protect visitors, local residents and the various natural habitats and resources on the world Islands found.
From new health and safety measures to ongoing sustainability campaigns, Hawaii is preparing for the steady return of tourism.
Robyn Basso, Senior Director of Travel Industry Partnerships for the Hawaiian Islands, discussed what’s new with the destination at last week’s ASTA Global conference.
Response to the pandemic
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we all had to adapt quickly, both personally and professionally. It has changed the way we live, interact with others, work and travel, ”said Basso.
Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the Hawaiian Islands welcomed a record number of visitors, reaching 10 million visitors for the first time in the destination’s history just last year. All of that changed, however, when the pandemic really hit the industry and the US, travel restrictions were put in place.
Basso provided information on the way the Hawaiian Islands have been dealing with the COVID-19 crisis since then. He put in place a mandatory quarantine order, took pre-test logs, and tracked and monitored outbound calls to ensure visitors were complying with health measures.
Hawaii will begin enforcing its protocols for all mainland travelers starting October 1st. Visitors must take a COVID test and provide a negative result within 72 hours of departure in order to bypass the quarantine order. Travelers arriving in Hawaii before October 1 are subject to mandatory quarantine. Tests are not performed on-site, and those who do not test beforehand must also be quarantined.
Basso said she was optimistic about the future of travel, not least as she fully expects the travel advisor to take the lead and guide avid travelers back to the islands.
“Travel Consultants have always shown their innate ability to turn and adjust. In times of uncertainty, travelers seek up-to-date travel information and answers from a trusted source. “
Initiative for sustainable travel
In addition to protecting visitors, Basso also discussed the destinations’ efforts to protect the well-being of local residents, and the natural ecosystems and habitats that Hawaii is home to.
“We had to shift our focus to better take into account the impact of tourism on local residents. It is important that we think about how we can better work to manage our resources and the destination to balance the interests of the residents and visitors we invite to the islands. “
To support this effort, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau launched the Kuleana Campaign to help visitors understand Hawaiian culture and educate them about respectful travel practices when visiting the islands.
“Kuleana in Hawaiian means responsibility … and it is our responsibility to ensure that Hawaii is a special place for generations to come and that visitors leave Hawaii better than they found it,” said Basso.
“Our goal shouldn’t necessarily be to have visitors live like locals for a week, that’s impossible, but maybe we can help them understand like locals.”
The Kuleana campaign focuses on conserving the island’s natural resources by educating and encouraging visitors to make wise and environmentally conscious choices when abroad, such as: B. to reduce their carbon footprint and to stay on hiking trails so as not to disturb the natural habitats.
The campaign also emphasizes preserving the local culture and sharing it through indigenous Hawaiian festivals and events. Traditional experiences for visitors to enjoy, such as hula or ukulele lessons.
“Our hotel and activity partners continue to incorporate Hawaii’s unique culture into their programs to provide an enriching experience for our visitors. This is important as 80% of our visitors want to incorporate historical or cultural experiences into their vacation. “
In addition to encouraging visitors to adhere to best practices, Basso said the Hawaiian Islands aim to welcome the right types of visitors to the destination.
“We also understand that our infrastructure can only accommodate a certain number of visitors, and we need to make sure they are the right type of visitors. High-quality visitors who stay longer, spend more in the destination and, of course, responsible travelers. “
Consultant resources
She also discussed that Travel Advisor Tools and Resources to help them get to know Hawaii, keep up to date, and sell it. From target information to sales and marketing resources to training and certification programs.
The Hawaiian Island Consultants Resource website offers courses for master island specialists, interactive maps of the various islands, and even an e-newsletter to keep subscribers informed.
“Consultants continue to deliver high quality visitors to the Hawaiian Islands. And we want them to know that the Hawaiian Islands are so much more than sun, sand and surf. They really offer unlimited surprising experiences for those looking for adventure, health and wellness experiences, foodies, families and of course couples.
“We are confident that Hawaii’s tourism industry and the wider travel community, especially consultants, are creative and resilient enough to ensure Hawaii continues to be one of the top travel destinations in the world.”
