Learn about recent visitor trends and upcoming promotions in each of our major market areas in the HTA's Quarterly Update Video Series, now available online (link to Youtube URL). In this Q4, 2014 series, each of the marketing contractors provide important updates on initiatives, projections and opportunities for Hawaii's visitor industry through the first quarter of 2015.

"We wanted to create a news magazine format video to provide ongoing updates for our stakeholders between our spring marketing update and Hawaii Tourism Conference," said David Uchiyama, HTA VP of brand management. "We hope that you find the information useful as we continue to find ways to best communicate with Hawaii's visitor industry."

The following videos are available for viewing on the HTA's YouTube Channel here:

HTO Welcomes the Hokulea and Hikianalia to New Zealand

Last month, the Hawaii Tourism Oceania (HTO) welcomed the Hokulea and Hikianalia to Waitangi, New Zealand, one of the first stops of their Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage, which commenced in 2013. The powhiri, a Maori welcome ceremony, included speeches and performances by local Maori Kapa Haka groups and entertainers from Kamehameha Schools.

"The arrival of the Hokulea and Hikianalia has been a much anticipated event in New Zealand," said Darragh Walshe, New Zealand country manager from Hawaii Tourism Oceania. "We are looking forward to their tour throughout the country through next April, and working together to further enhance the cultural connection between New Zealand and Hawaii."

Save the Date for the HTA Webinar: Getting to Know the Latin America Market

January 20 and 27

Latin America (Brazil, Mexico and Argentina) is a developing major market area which the HTA believes has good growth potential. Since 2010, visitor arrivals from this market have increased by double digits year over year. In 2013, the Latin America visitors to Hawaii stayed longer (12 days) in comparison to all other markets, and are one of the higher spending visitors (ranked no. 4 at $222 per person per day).

In March 2014, the HTA hired FOCUS LATAM (representing Hawaii as Hawai'i Tourism Latin America) for destination representation services. Since coming aboard, they have conducted market research on both the Latin America and Hawaii markets and built relationships with key tour operators, airlines and Hawaii industry partners. They have executed several travel trade FAMs to provide destination training and expand Hawai'i product in the markets, in addition to working with media and conducting media/press FAMs to gain exposure for the destination. The U.S. Department of Commerce, ITA, National Travel and Tourism Office has forecast arrivals from these countries to continue to grow in 2015.

HTA Survey on Electronic Communications

The HTA continues to look for ways to improve communications to stakeholders, visitor industry partners, and the community. We would appreciate your kokua in taking a few minutes to complete a short survey about our electronic communications. Mahalo!

HTA recognizes the use of the 'okina ['] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō[ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai'i such as Lāna'i). However, HTA respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses. Due to technological limitations, this current communication may not include all Hawaiian diacritical markings.