Hawaiian culture seen as key attraction
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)
The chairman of the Hawaii Tourism Authority urged some 900 tourism executives to put traditional Hawaiian music back into hotels, restaurants and shops and to take a greater responsibility in perpetuating the culture.
Douglas Kahikina Chang, general manager of the Hotel Hana-Maui, presented the keynote address at the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau's annual luncheon at the Sheraton Waikiki on Monday.
HVCB, which is primarily responsible for promoting Hawaii in North America, said leisure travel from the area is ahead of last year's record pace.
Year-to-date visitor arrivals have increased 2.5 percent, while visitor expenditures are up 5.8 percent. In addition, total domestic air seats are projected to reach a record 7.6 million for 2006, or a 5 percent increase over last year.
Chang, the first Native Hawaiian to lead the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said the state's tourism marketing arm will continue to devote more resources to sustain the Hawaiian culture and quality of life for local residents.
"We have also made a commitment to review our marketing messages to eliminate offensive and insensitive content and to incorporate appropriate cultural messages and images into our communications," Chang said, adding that HTA also is creating a resource book for private-sector businesses to use for their own marketing campaigns.
Other HTA initiatives include:
- Committing $2 million over the past two years for cultural efforts including funding for major events such as the Aloha Festivals and hula events statewide.
- Hiring a staff member to ensure that the Hawaiian culture is taken into consideration before tourism marketing decisions are made.
- Awarding $750,000 to various organizations working specifically to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
- Setting aside up to $3 million annually to work with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the counties and community organizations to identify problems with Hawaii's natural resources and developing potential solutions to those problems.
- HVCB also honored the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association for promoting cultural values and tradition in the visitor industry. Donald Takaki, chairman of Island Movers, also was presented an award for serving as HVCB's board chairman for the past three years and as a board member since 1994.
HVCB also honored the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association for promoting cultural values and tradition in the visitor industry. Donald Takaki, chairman of Island Movers, also was presented an award for serving as HVCB's board chairman for the past three years and as a board member since 1994.
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