Kris Phadungkiatipong, country director Oceania Meet Hawaii says that as well as finding refreshed hotels and venues, business event organisers are also able to access flexible rates and extra / add-on offers from suppliers in the destination.
‘We’re catching up with our key (trade) clients here and really saying they are welcome back to Hawaii, we want to see everyone back,’ he adds.
At a lunch function in Origine, Auckland, Marie Watanabe of Wai Kai says the attractions and lifestyle venue is popular with incentive groups looking to take advantage of activities such as watercraft rentals, surfing (the facility has a wave park) and obstacle course. ‘We can cater for groups with families or adult only,’ she says,
Kyle Souza, of Prince Resorts was highlighting the opening this month of a completely new look property – Mauna Kea Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii. ‘It was an NZ$418m renovation and we really touched everything. We see a lot fo golf groups from New Zealand and the work included a redesign of the course. The main focus though was on a new 2000 square metre spa with 11 treatment rooms and we think that will really appeal to the incentive market here.
Also promoted at the lunch were two renovated towers at Hilton Hawaiian Village – the Rainbow tower and (coming soon) the Alii Tower. ‘Alii will be open in February next year and it will be our premium offering,’ says Charlene Nakamura of Hilton.
For larger groups, the Hawaii Convention Centre is also undergoing major refurbishments, including an enhanced rooftop terrace space with canopy.
