Hawaii Group Cancellations

Aloha Kakou:

The fallout from the AIG travel debacles continue to plague Hawaii reservations, as per this article in today's Star-Bulletin.

This is relevant to us as many times MCI (meeting, convention and incentive) travellers also book add-on trips to neighbor islands, particularly Maui. Hawaii is a destination that has one of the largest number of family members traveling in conjunction with MCI travel.

Hawaii MCI travel has been been seen as somewhat of a boondoggle as those Mainlanders who hold the purse strings wrongly believe that no one does any business over here anyway. That coupled with the perceived expense of a Hawaii trip means that we are fortunate to get as much business as we do.

Unfortunately, today's political climate now means even less of this important subset of Hawaii's travel business.

http://www.starbulletin.com/business/businessnews/20090507_cancellation_blues.html

Potential TAT Increase

Aloha Kakou:

Please take a look at this article, written by Dr. Richard Kelley, Outrigger's Chairman of the Board. Dr. Kelley continues to be a tireless advocate for Hawaii tourism.

Currently, the Hawaii state legislature is looking at increasing the Transient Accommodations Tax to 8.25% in July and to 9.25% in 2010 in an effort to balance the state budget. Of course, Dr. Kelley believes an increase in the TAT is a bad idea.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/518181.html?nav=18

Here is the link to the tourism study referenced by Dr. Kelley:

http://www.fhb.com/pdf/FHB_Tourism_Study_09325.pdf

A Fast Train Headed The Wrong Way

Aloha Kakou:

The headline of this article that appeared yesterday in the Maui News is hardly comforting. The reality of the article is hardly comforting, either.

"With a very weak first quarter and indications that the drop-off has continued Into April, I'd have to think that we'll be looking at a very soft summer," he said. "I think it will be mid-2010 before we see a sustained uptick", said Joseph Toy of Hospitality Advisers.

Maui's March occupancy average was 66.9%, compared to 80.3% last year. Remember that hotel occupancy levels include timeshares, which traditionally run over 90% due to those owners' need to come to maximize their investment.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/518139.html?nav=10

Aloha Happy Tours

Aloha Kakou:

This article appeared in this week's Travel Weekly. Happy Tours had been in business for over 40 years and had been associated with Outrigger for almost as long. It is sad to see a venerable member of the wholesale travel community close so suddenly. Fortunately, the Outrigger Maui Eldorado has contracts with many wholesale partners who continue to send vacation travelers our way.
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The Perils of Booking Online

Aloha Kakou:

This article from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin details the scams that befell a family who booked their Hawaii accommodations through an on-line vacation website, paid in advance and arrived to find there were no such accommodations.

This is why your relationship with Outrigger is so valuable - you and your guests are dealing with a reputable company that does not require an advance payment.

http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20090426_Bait_and_switch.html

Vacation Agent Magazine Ad

Aloha Kakou:

This co-op ad with the Outrigger Maui Eldorado and Blue Sky Tours will appear in the May issue of Vacation Agent magazine, where it will be seen by over 31,000 travel agents whose primary business is to sell leisure travel.

The ad will actually appear in realistic four-color ink; it just won't upload with the right colors!

Jaxfax Article

Aloha Kakou:

Several months ago, Chantal Guillou-Brennan stayed with us at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado Resort. Ms. Guillou-Brennan, who is the Art and Production Manager for Jaxfax, a travel marketing magazine aimed at the travel agency community, was on assignment to write about Maui. Below is the mention of the Outrigger Maui Eldorado mention that we received in exchange for her stay.



jaxfax maui 1

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jaxfax maui 2

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