Whats New?

Clients traveling to Oahu this November and December are in for a treat, especially if they've never seen the world's top surfers do what they do best: surf some of the planet's best waves. The annual Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is the World Surf League's season-ending trio of professional surf competitions, held on the famed surf breaks of Oahu's North Shore. The competitions are also near always the final proving ground deciding the sport's annual world champion. Visitors are encouraged to head to the North Shore on days when competitions get the green light to catch the best big wave surfers in the world performing at their highest level. For more information, visit www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com or www.worldsurfleague.com.

Travel Advisor Updates

Tourism Kuleana (Responsibility)

The nonprofit organization Hawai’i Ecotourism Association (HEA) has officially rebranded as the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii (STAH). The rebranding was motivated, in part, to better align with the organization's mission and goals. The mission of the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii is to protect Hawaii's unique, natural environment and host culture through the promotion of responsible travel and educational programs relating to sustainable tourism for residents, businesses, and visitors. Founded in 1995, the organization boasts over two decades of supporting sustainable tourism initiatives throughout the state. One of its most notable programs is the Certified Sustainable Tour Operator Program, the only third-party sustainable tour operator certification not only in Hawaii, but throughout the United States. The statewide Certification program is designed to educate and recognize Hawaii's tour operators who positively affect natural and cultural resources, contribute to conservation, and help sustain local communities. To include certified tour operators in your Hawaii programs on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii Island, visit www.sustainabletourismhawaii.org/operators

Sharing Responsibility with your Clients

Sharing the dos and don'ts with visitors for their time in the Hawaiian Islands is the goal of a campaign launched through a partnership between the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. The "Kuleana Campaign" ("kuleana" means "responsibility") includes short videos aimed at curbing some of the challenges each county is facing. Videos were created for Kauai, Oahu, Maui County and the island of Hawaii. Topics include ocean safety, ocean conservation, culture, land safety, astute renting and pono (righteous) tourism.

"Many travelers visiting the Hawaiian Islands don't necessarily understand why we stay on the trail when we hike, why we care about protecting our reefs, and many of the dangers they need to be mindful of," said Jay Talwar, HVCB's chief marketing officer. "We felt that if our residents shared the whys' behind appropriate behavior then most visitors would follow along."
Some of the messages include:

• Swim, surf and snorkel only when a lifeguard is on duty, and be aware of ocean conditions before entering the water

• Be mindful of the impact plastics and sunscreens have on Hawaii's coral reefs;

• Research legal vacation rentals thoroughly online before booking, to avoid scams;

• Respect nature by taking only photos as mementos and leaving only the smallest of footprints behind.

Several airlines are showing these videos, which feature 15 Hawaii residents, to passengers before they arrive in the islands and some hotels are also showing these videos in their rooms. In addition, when visitors log in to their Facebook and Instagram accounts, they will see the "Kuleana" videos pop up on their feeds while they're in Hawaii, thanks to geo-targeting technology.

Travel advisors can help communicate these important messages to visitors by sharing these videos on their websites and social media channels. You can view and share from youtube.com/gohawaii