Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Name	Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Type	Nonprofit trade association
Founded	1935
Headquarters	Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Area served	State of Hawaiʻi
Focus	Tourism promotion, convention sales

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau functioned as a statewide tourism marketing and convention sales organization based in Honolulu, Oʻahu. It coordinated promotion of Hawaiʻi across domestic and international markets, liaising with destinations such as Waikīkī, Maui, Kauaʻi, and the Island of Hawaiʻi while engaging with airlines like Hawaiian Airlines and cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. The bureau worked with entities including the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and cultural institutions such as the Bishop Museum.

History

The bureau traced roots to early visitor promotion efforts in the 20th century that paralleled developments such as the arrival of Matson Navigation Company steamships and the expansion of Pan American World Airways Pacific routes. It operated through eras shaped by events like the Great Depression (United States), World War II mobilization in the Pearl Harbor attack, postwar air travel expansion via Douglas DC-4 and Boeing 707 services, and later by the jet age associated with Pan Am and Trans World Airlines. Legislative and institutional landscapes included interactions with the territorial era governance and later the state apparatus following the Admission of Hawaii as a U.S. state in 1959. The bureau navigated crises tied to incidents such as volcanic eruptions on the Island of Hawaiʻi, storm events affecting Kīlauea and Mount Waiʻaleʻale, and global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted visitor flows and prompted coordination with bodies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Organization and Governance

Governance structures involved boards and committees composed of representatives from hospitality firms like Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, major convention centers such as the Hawai‘i Convention Center, and transportation partners including United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The bureau interfaced with state bodies like the Hawai‘i State Legislature and quasi-public entities including the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), as well as nonprofit stakeholders such as the Nature Conservancy and cultural agencies like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Executive leadership historically coordinated with legal frameworks influenced by statutes enacted by the Hawai‘i State Legislature and with compliance expectations from institutions like the Internal Revenue Service for nonprofit status.

Marketing and Promotional Activities

Promotional campaigns targeted markets served by carriers such as Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Air Canada, and British Airways, and aligned messaging around destination highlights including Waimea Canyon, Haleakalā National Park, Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hanauma Bay, and cultural events such as Merrie Monarch Festival and Aloha Festivals. The bureau leveraged media partnerships with outlets like The New York Times, BBC News, and NHK and used trade shows such as IMEX America and ITB Berlin to solicit convention business. Branding efforts referenced icons like Diamond Head, local practices exemplified by hula and ʻukulele performances at venues such as Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Moana Surfrider, while collaborating with creative agencies experienced with hospitality accounts for Marriott, Hilton, and luxury operators like Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Visitor Services and Programs

The organization supported visitor-facing programs at points of arrival including Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, ferry and cruise terminals at Aloha Tower Marketplace, and information centers in neighborhoods like Kakaʻako and Lahaina. Services included convention bid support for groups at venues such as the Hawai‘i Convention Center and sales missions to associations like the American Society of Association Executives and corporate partners such as Microsoft. Programs also encompassed sustainability and stewardship initiatives partnering with conservation groups like ʻAhahui Malama I Ka Lāhui, cultural education collaborative efforts with institutions like the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, and visitor orientation around protected sites including Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

Economic Impact and Research

The bureau conducted or sponsored research on indicators such as visitor arrivals, average daily rates, and direct spending, often coordinating with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, DBEDT, and academic centers including the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and its Economic Research Organization. Analyses referenced trends in source markets such as Japan, Canada, Australia, and the continental United States and monitored impacts from events like Hurricane Iniki and the 2008 financial crisis (Great Recession). Economic impact work informed policy discussions with the Hawai‘i State Legislature and planning by county governments on Oʻahu, Maui County, Hawaiʻi County, and Kauaʻi County.

Partnerships and Community Initiatives

Partnerships spanned accommodation companies like Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, cultural institutions such as the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, environmental NGOs including Sierra Club Hawaiʻi, and industry associations like the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Community initiatives emphasized workforce development with institutions such as Kapiʻolani Community College and hospitality training programs linked to the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association, as well as destination stewardship collaborations with agencies like the National Park Service at Haleakalā National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Cooperative marketing with regional bodies like Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau and international tourism offices including the Japan National Tourism Organization helped align promotional priorities across islands and markets.

Category:Tourism in Hawaii