Aloha: Hawai’i partners share island updates in T.O., flights ramping up

STORY BY JESSICA HURAS

Representatives from Hawai’i's island chapters, key hotel and activity partners and select travel media gathered on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at the Dorset restaurant in Toronto, bringing a touch of aloha spirit to the city.

Sue Kanoho, managing director of the Island Chapters and executive director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, explained that the event aimed to promote Hawai’i as a travel destination in anticipation of the increased seasonal flight service to the islands from Canadian hubs like Toronto and Vancouver.

With WestJet and Air Canada ramping up flights as winter approaches, the gathering was a timely effort to inspire Canadian travellers to escape to the warmth and beauty of Hawai'i. 

“Canada is an important market for us, so prior to those seasonal flight services starting up, we want to remind everybody that we’re ready to host,” said Kanoho.

“Coming out of COVID and the fires in Maui, we want to ensure everyone understands that we’re ready to receive visitors.”

Maui’s path forward

Sherry Duong, executive director of the Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau, emphasized that locals prefer to frame the ongoing efforts in Maui as "rebuilding" rather than "recovery."

“We need people to come back to help us rebuild,” said Duong, adding that mixed messages about tourism following the fires led to a decline in visitor numbers over the past year.

While Lahaina, the area most affected by the fires, is still in the process of rebuilding, Duong highlighted that much of Maui remains open for exploration.

“The big thing for travel advisors to know is that there’s so much more to the island,” said Duong.

“I think people are finding new, hidden gems that they didn’t see or know about before because they were focused on Lahaina.”

Plan ahead for adventures

Kanoho highlighted a growing trend of travellers booking trips much closer to their departure dates.

“It used to be three months out, but it’s gone down to around a month,” she said.

She advised that booking in advance is crucial to avoid missing out on popular activities.

“A lot of activities get sold out if you wait too long,” she said. “If you show up on short notice, it’s a bit of a challenge to get access to everything you might want to do.”

Kanoho also emphasized the increasing importance of advance planning due to the islands' tourism management efforts.

To better control visitor numbers, many islands have introduced reservation systems for popular attractions and implemented caps on daily visitors.

For example, Kanoho shared that Kauai’s renowned Kalalau Trail, which once saw over 2,000 visitors per day, now limits the number to 900.

“We all have destination management action plans now and we check in with the community to see what’s working and what we can do better – it’s a more active approach to management than just marketing,” said Kanoho.

“It’s a win-win for the destination, the people who live there and the visitors.”

All interests, all seasons

Noelani Schilling-Wheeler, executive director of the Oahu Visitors Bureau, encouraged travel advisors to take advantage of Hawai’i Tourism Canada's training programs to stay informed about the evolving travel landscape.

“It’s important to learn what’s happening on the islands,” said Schilling-Wheeler. “There have been so many changes to the islands and even the way people travel – it’s not the Hawai’i advisors were selling prior to the pandemic.”

She pointed out that Oahu, for example, has seen the launch and revitalization of numerous accommodation options in recent years, including the introduction of the locally-focused Romer Neighborhood Hotels brand.

Many of the islands, including Kauai, are now also offering chocolate and cacao farm tours.

In addition, Schilling-Wheeler suggested advisors consider promoting Hawai'i beyond the typical Canadian winter travel season.

“Hawai’i is just as wonderful in the spring and summer,” she said. “There are lots of festivals, the mangoes are in season and there are beautiful blooms.”

Kanoho emphasized that each Hawaiian island offers a unique experience, making it important for advisors to match visitors with the island that best aligns with their interests.

“Each island has its own vibe, so it’s about which one you want,” said Kanoho.

“Make sure your clients understand what they’re booking and what that island is about, so they can have the experiences they’re looking for.”

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