Hawaii Tourism Japan has been working on innovative ways to showcase the Hawaiian Islands to this mature market. In 2014, HTJ launched a campaign with the popular Ultraman character and partnered with top-boy band Arashi for a concert in Hawaii that brought thousands of Japanese to the state, reaching a new demographic.
 
This year, more exciting and new programs will take place to promote Hawaii, including the launch of Shaka-chan, a mascot character that will be used to promote Hawaii and educate the Japan market about the shaka symbol or gesture and the meaning of aloha. Check out the story of Shaka-chan here.

Last year, we hit another milestone for tourism: $14.75 billion in visitor expenditures (+2.3%), $1.57 billion in state tax revenue (+2.3%) and 8.28 million visitors to the Hawaiian Islands (+1.3%). After exceeding 2014 targets and surpassing previous years' records, where is Hawaii's tourism economy headed in 2015? 

The HTA and its global contractors - Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ), Hawaii Tourism Oceania (HTO), Hawaii Tourism China (HTC), Hawaii Tourism Korea (HTK), Hawaii Tourism Taiwan (HTT), Hawaii Tourism Europe (HTE), Hawaii Tourism Latin America (HTLA) and Meet Hawaii - will present marketing updates and opportunities during the HTA's annual Spring Marketing Update on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Registration is from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m in front of Liliu Theater. The briefing is from 8:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Those unable to attend the event can register to watch the meeting via webinar. 

Capacity is limited so registration is required to attend the Spring Marketing Update or participate in the webinar. For more information and to register, click here.