Chinese Tourism - It is NOT COVERED IN Hawaii

eTN Received correspondence  from Johnson W K Choi ,President & CEO  Hong Kong Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, China Hawaii Chamber of Commerce & Asia Pacific California Chamber of Commerce.

eTN is a founder of the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) www.ictp.travel  . ICTP is a Hawaii based organization with 126 tourism boards as members, including many stakeholders, associations in the international travel and tourism scene.

ICTP is part of the eTN network of 1.3 million travelers, 230,000+ travel industry professionals and 17,000 publications and journalists interested in travel and tourism worldwide, including this Kamaainas blog.

Among ICTP members are  Visit California, Brand USA, the Chinese National Tourism Organization ,but NOT the Hawaii Tourism Authority or any other tourism organization in Hawaii.  Invitations had been ignored, even though ICTP is based here in our State, and membership was offered free of charge.

When Air China started service from Beijing to Honolulu in January, HTA instructed it's PR agency not to invite eTN, not to send a photo or any other information to eTurboNews. Our eTN reporter was told not to ask for "favors" when requesting a photo. eTN turned to Air China directly to get the information. Click here for the eTN article.

Outreach to  Chinese Outbound Tourism has been a successful project for ICTP for some time with results for many tourism boards around the globe.

Here is the letter from Johnson WK Choi voicing his frustration with current policies and missed opportunities.

A 7,000 tour group from China just left Southern CA each spent a minimum of US$10,000 - you do the math. Unofficially $ spent much higher. They love CA so much that they are coming back.

cTrip in China sold out a US$200,000 group luxury tour package in 17 seconds.

If you look at CA from North to South, you will be amazed the number of people knew what it takes to bring it large groups with infrastructure support that Hawaii is seriously lacking.

The head of the tourism of all the cities involved are very good sales person. They travel extensively, our heads of tourism ask someone to do it for us and stay home.

The number of Mayors that are Chinese and know what it takes to bring in large tour group help (such as Mayor of SF and Anaheim).

None of our leaders from Governor to mayor to DBEDT have an idea what it take to bring in tour group from Asia besides the Japanese.

On the infrastructure side we are weak, our convention center too small, lack of hotels to handle large groups, lack of venue and theme parks and the long list goes on.

Many of my friends who visited Hawaii before found Saipan more attractive and we are competing with a long list of destinations.

We have a lot of work to do.

Johnson W K Choi, MBA, RFC

President & CEO 行政總裁

Hong Kong Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, China Hawaii Chamber of Commerce & Asia Pacific California Chamber of Commerce

Hawaii tourism continues to dwindle

HONOLULU, HI - Nearly 640,000 tourists traveled to Hawaii in April, 2014, roughly the same number that visited Aloha State in April of 2013, but they spent 2.2 percent less than last year.

Mike McCartney, President and CEO of Hawaii Tourism Authority, issued the following statement today:

"During the first four months of 2014, both spending (-2.9% to $4.9 billion) and arrivals (-2.6% to 2,720,760) have softened compared to the record growth Hawaii's tourism economy experienced in 2013. The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) anticipates a continued slowdown through the second quarter of 2014, a traditionally slower travel period for the state.

Declines in arrivals have been affected by a decrease in Hawaii's cruise business (-18.9%), as the HTA continues to work with the state Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to improve access at Hawaii's harbors. We recently issued a request for proposals for maritime vessel scheduling software, which will help to establish an integrated system that will ease vessel scheduling to optimize the use of dock space to accommodate more cruise ships throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Other factors affecting visitor arrivals include growing competition, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against international currencies and other economic conditions.

As a result, the HTA continues focusing on diversifying our international markets by increasing destination awareness and interest in markets like Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan and Latin America. The HTA recently contracted a general sales agent (GSA) for Latin America and is planning to issue RFPs for representation in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Developing these newer markets creates opportunities for attracting first-time, higher spending visitors to Hawaii.  

Strengthening our core markets like the U.S. and Japan also remain a priority for the HTA. Seasonal direct service from the West Coast to Kona and Lihue this summer will help to boost visitor arrivals from the region, and increase distribution across the state. The HTA is also working with the Hawaii Tourism Japan on promoting an Oahu concert with the popular J-Pop group, Arashi, which is expected to attract 15,000 visitors from Japan in September.

Visitor arrivals and expenditures will continue to plateau in 2014, in comparison to the past two record-breaking years. Through the strategic and collective efforts of our industry, marketing and other stakeholder partners, we will continue to work together to balance and strengthen Hawaii's tourism economy."

Aloha doesn’t live in Hainan

Hainan Island

Flower Lei in Hainan

Aloha Shirt made in Hainan

Aloha Shirt in Hainan

Aloha made in Hainan

Hawaii Style Resort in Hainan

Hainan Skyline

Hula Dancers in Hainan

It is usually the case that when an high-end product is replicated, it is because of price value.  Those who cannot afford an “original” would buy a “knock-off.”  China is a haven for mass production of both, for very obvious reasons.  But, on a recent trip to China has got be bewildered and puzzled, as I witnessed a destination piggybacking on another destination’s marketing schemes so blatantly obvious that is almost embarrassing to see.   The island of Hainan is shamelessly touting itself as “China’s Hawaii.”

<strong>Aloha shirts</strong>

The first hint of Hainan ripping off Hawaii’s image is when I walked into the venue for Sanya Tourism reception and Dinner during the recently-held 2014 Global Summit by the World Travel & Tourism Council.  As I made my way towards the venue, an open space area at the Double Tree Resort, I felt very much like walking into a Hawaii-themed event.  Majority of the attendees were decked up in colorful shirts that had mostly floral prints on them.  I was confused.  That confusion ultimately made me feel awkward, which made it impossible for me to “talk” with anyone.  I felt immersed in a bad Twilight Zone episode that ultimately led me to walk out of the dinner function.  It just did not feel right to be there.

<strong>Logo</strong>

Another obvious rip by Hainan of Hawaii is the marketing logo.  One look at Hainan logo and I instantaneously thought of Hawaii’s logo.  The colors and the fonts are almost identical.  Whoever designed Hainan’s logo should be fired immediately because it’s degrading for a destination to do such a thing.  It has enough going for itself that it need not stoop to that level.  Hainan, as I will point out later on, has a unique identity that is far from Hawaii and can stand as a world class destination on its own merit.  

The rip on Hawaii’s logo by Hainan struck me as something silly and inconceivable. For what its worth it is a clear indication of lack of creativity, let alone authenticity.  Whoever masterminded the design did some minor tweaks, but the similarity is palpable.  Take both logos and edit them using a black and white filter and it is hard to tell the two apart.  See  what I’m talking about:  

<strong>Nuances</strong>

The word “aloha” is unique to Hawaii, so Hainan obviously cannot use it.  But, a trip to Yanoda Cultural Tourism Zone revealed that Hainan has a version - “yanoda.”  Yanoda Cultural Tourism Zone is a rainforest park that has manmade tourism features such as zip-lining, designated picture-taking areas with accompanying sounds effects, shops, etc.  Everywhere we were greeted by park employees with a smile and the word “yagona” to which visitors were instructed in the electronic mobile guide to respond to with by also saying “yagona.”  That same electronic guide first few sentences as soon as I turned it on said something to the effect of “When you visit Hawaii, you will find often that people are saying aloha, here we say yanoda.” I was floored.

In Hawaii, when people say “aloha,” it normally comes with a hand gesture called hang loose sign.  Lo and behold, Hainan’s “yanoda” does come with one, too.  It is identical to what most people refer to as the peace sign.  

<strong>“Leis”</strong>

In every hotel I checked into post-WTTC summit, I was greeted with some kind of a necklace.  I’m using the term loosely because in Hawaii, it is widely known that visitors are greeted with a floral necklace known as “leis.”  In Hainan, I found that they did the same thing, but each property took the liberty of creating a “necklace” of their own.  Each property was different.  The most ineffective of all during my visit was Narada Hot-spring Resort’s three-betel nut necklace.  Whoever thought that greeting guests with a necklace made of three betel nuts tied by a string should really consider one thing:  comfort.  Nobody in their right mind wants three miniature coconuts hanging on their neck.  They’re heavy and odd-looking.

Hainan should cease and desist all of its references to Hawaii immediately because it is causing them more harm than good.  Why would an island that will soon have a 7-star hotel would want to degrade itself when it need not to?  There’s ample reasons why Hainan should stand proud of itself as a tourism destination.  While it may be the case that they truly are trying to be “China’s Hawaii” that is catering mostly to domestic tourists and expats, it has so much to offer that it is ready to receive the world.  Hainan’s true identity, as I see it, will be the topic of part two of this series.  Hint: it is not the sandy beaches, not the tropical rain forests and most certainly not anything related to shirts, logos and hand gestures.

by Nelson Alcantara, eTN editor-in-chief

Air Canada rouge expands to Hawaii

Air Canada today announced that its leisure carrier subsidiary, Air Canada rougeTM, is expanding service to Hawaii with the introduction of new year-round non-stop flights between Toronto and Honolulu. The new route, offering the only non-stop service between Toronto and Hawaii, will begin November 26, 2014. Flights will be operated using Air Canada rouge Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft offering a choice of two cabins with three choices of service, personal space and comfort. To promote the new route, Air Canada rouge is offering savings of 20 per cent on bookings made by June 10, 2014 for travel until April 30, 2015 using the promotion code "aloharouge." Flights and optional Air Canada Vacations packages are available for purchase at aircanada.com.

"Hawaii has long been a very popular vacation destination for Canadians from coast to coast," said Benjamin Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. "With the expansion of Air Canada rouge to Hawaii, we are delighted to introduce the only non-stop flights between Toronto and Hawaii. Flights are timed to provide convenient connections at our main Toronto hub for flights serving destinations throughout Air Canada's extensive network. In combination with Air Canada Vacations, we are pleased to offer Canadians even more holiday choices."

In addition, Air Canada announced that existing year-round non-stop service from Vancouver to Honolulu and Maui, currently operated by Air Canada, will be converted to daily Air Canada rouge Boeing 767-300 ER service effective November 21 and December 1, 2014, respectively.

As part of its Air Canada rouge winter schedule to Caribbean destinations, twice-weekly seasonal service from Toronto to St. Maarten, previously operated by Air Canada, will be converted to Air Canada rouge Boeing 767-300ER service effective December 20.

"Air Canada rouge is best suited to compete more cost effectively in markets where there is both a high leisure travel demand and low-cost competition. The expansion of our leisure carrier to Hawaii, in tandem with Air Canada's mainline fleet renewal, is a key element of our strategy for sustainable, profitable growth at both airlines," concluded Mr. Smith.

Air Canada will continue to evaluate future market opportunities as new aircraft are introduced into its mainline fleet and existing aircraft are released for operation by Air Canada rouge as market demand warrants. Since the launch in July 2013 of Air Canada rouge, Air Canada has deployed its leisure carrier to a growing number of Caribbean, European and select sun destinations in the United States.

New Air Canada rouge Toronto-Honolulu year-round service:

Flight Departs Arrives Day of week
ZX1823 Toronto 16:10 Honolulu 21:20 Wednesday, Sunday
ZX1822 Honolulu 22:55 Toronto 13:00 +1 Wednesday, Sunday

Air Canada rouge Vancouver-Honolulu and Vancouver-Maui year round service:

Flight Departs Arrives Day of week
ZX1831 Vancouver 17:35 Honolulu 21:40 Daily in Winter
ZX1830 Honolulu 22:55 Vancouver 06:35 +1 Daily in Winter

Flight Departs Arrives Day of week
ZX1827 Vancouver 17:45 Maui 21:50 Daily in Winter
ZX1828 Maui 23:05 Vancouver 06:35 +1 Daily in Winter

Customers who have already booked travel to Hawaii directly through Air Canada on these routes converted to Air Canada rouge will be notified by email that their flight has been converted to Air Canada rouge. To mark the expansion of Air Canada rouge to Hawaii, the email includes a promotion code for 20 per cent off future travel on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge in North America including Hawaii and the Caribbean. The email also provides further information on Air Canada rouge, as well as the option to contact Air Canada Reservations at (844) 268-7290 for a full refund if the customer prefers to make a different travel choice to Hawaii. Customers who have booked through their travel agent would be notified by their travel agent who is also available to provide further information and options available to them.

With the addition of the Hawaii and St. Maarten routes, together with its previously announced summer 2014 schedule to Europe, the Caribbean and the United States, Air Canada rouge plans to operate a total of 58 routes by next winter, including service this summer to Barcelona, Dublin, Lisbon, Manchester, Nice and Rome.