JANUARY
ARRIVALS and hotel occupancy are down, the result of
decreases in arrivals from the East Coast, Japan, and most other
international markets. Thanks to higher rooms rates, profitability
remains close to the record levels of 2005 and 2006 for hotels, but
discounting is already undercutting those increases to some degree
and will likely continue into the summer. Oahu, with hotel
occupancy at 76%, saw the steepest drop (down 8.6%), with Kauai, at
69%, down a little more than 1% compared with January 2006.
THE HILTON
WAIKOLOA VILLAGE has introduced its Perfect Package series
that focuses on honeymoons, families and activities. All include
daily breakfast. The three-night Perfect Honeymoon (code PQ) starts
at $529 per night and includes dinner, seaside massages and a
sunset sail. The three-night Perfect Family Package (code PV)
features daily fitness access for two at Kohala Spa, daily $25
credit for lagoon beach toys, daily one-hour court time at Kohala
Tennis and a daily round of golf for two at the Seaside Putting
Course, starting at $319. The Perfect Adventure Package (code ATV)
includes a range of activity discounts and starts at $289 per night
with a two-night minimum. Perfect Paradise (code PP) rates start at
$309. Rates are inclusive of taxes. Bookings are commissionable at
10%, and are valid until Dec. 20. Call (800) HILTONS or visit www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com.
RATES &
DATES
" The Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort is hosting the Kona
Classic marine photography competition from May 5 to 12. The
competition is open to professional and amateur photographers of
all skill levels and includes daytime dives and educational
seminars covering all aspects of underwater photography. Dive
packages for the Kona Classic are $650 plus a $295 registration
fee. Call (800) 345-4807 or (808) 329-7585. For room reservations,
call (877) 532-8468, ext. 2515.
" The Mauna Lani Resort's Lava Love Room & Spa
Package offers lava-themed activities for couples that include a
sun-warmed outdoor Lava Sauna and detoxing Lava Flow body
treatment. Nightly rates start at $525, through Dec. 19, with a
three-night minimum. Call (800) 367-2323 or visit www.maunalani.com.
" The Kona Village Resort's Village Adventure allows
guests to personalize an itinerary with options ranging massage to
convertible rental car, hula lessons to snorkel excursions. Pricing
for the four-night package starts at $3,075. Other package options
include the Romance & Celebrations, starting at $3,415 for
three nights, $4,780 for seven nights, and the seven-night Dive The
Village starting at $5,775. Visit www.konavillage.com.
APPOINTMENTS
" Rodney Ito has
been named general manager of the 555-room Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Resort & Spa, which just completed a $50 million
renovation.
" Julie Zadeh has
been named managing director of travel trade marketing for the
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau. She is responsible for
planning and managing HVCB's trade initiatives with agencies and
wholesalers in the mainland U.S. and Canada.
" Fred Orr has been
appointed general manager of Waikiki's Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
Hotel, which is slated for a major renovation. Preliminary plans
call for a partial rebuild in 2009.
Hawaii
Editor: Allan Seiden
Phone: (808) 734-4677
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the Hawaii E-letter, contact Debbie Joseph at [email protected].