The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is mapping out its advertising and marketing plan to cope with softening customer numbers because the wildfires. That features a marketing campaign to welcome guests again to the Valley Isle — Mākaukau Maui.

The Dialog talked to Daniel Nahoopii, the HTA interim president and CEO, in regards to the advertising and marketing technique for the remainder of the yr.

Nahoopii mentioned there are fewer vacationers today — they usually’re spending much less. He mentioned many guests could also be delaying or canceling their journeys as a result of they don’t perceive which areas of Maui are open.

“They do not really feel as welcome as a result of they do not understand that there is many different alternatives to have a expertise there,” he mentioned. “So we’re placing extra of that data out.”

“We’re additionally encouraging guests to purchase native, to spend within the native markets, to hunt out these small companies to maintain them supported as a result of it may take some time for full restoration,” Nahoopii instructed HPR.

HTA is at the moment mapping out the state’s tourism technique for the remainder of the yr. 



“We all know developing in ’25 or ’26, there will be considerably of a world slowdown. So we need to be sure that we’re positioned nicely, that the guests will nonetheless be coming and supporting and spending, extra importantly spending, in Hawaiʻi,” Nahoopii mentioned.

This story aired on The Dialog on March 6, 2024. The Dialog airs weekdays at 11 a.m. on HPR-1.