Hawai‘i Tourism Authority awards contracts in the United States and Canada

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the state agency responsible for managing tourism in the Hawaiian Islands, has awarded three contracts for destination stewardship, visitor education and brand management in the United States and Canada.

Support Services for Destination Stewardship sought services including post-arrival visitor education; administrative support for HTA community programs like Aloha ʻĀina, Kūkulu Ola, and Community Enrichment; technical assistance and capacity building for community organizations and local businesses; and technology-enabled solutions to manage tourism hotspots.

The award was made to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. The new contract, worth $27,141,457 for the initial 2.5-year term with an option for two one-year extensions, is scheduled to begin on June 20.

Destination Brand Management & Marketing Services in the United States was also issued on Feb. 23 seeking brand management and marketing services in the United States, Hawai‘i’s largest visitor source market.

The solicitation calls for a pre-arrival communications program to educate visitors with specific information about safe, respectful, and mindful travel. In 2022, visitors from the United States spent $16.2 billion in Hawaiʻi, an average $231 per visitor per day.

The award was made to the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau, which will continue its work on HTA’s behalf as Hawaiʻi Tourism United States. The new contract, worth $38,350,000 for the initial 2.5-year term with an option for one two-year extension, is scheduled to begin on June 22.

RFP 23-02 – Destination Brand Management & Marketing Services in Canada – was issued on March 14, seeking a contractor to educate Canadian visitors about traveling mindfully and respectfully while supporting Hawai‘i’s communities. Focus will also be placed on driving visitor spending into Hawai‘i-based businesses as a means to support a healthy economy, and promoting festivals and events, agritourism programs, and voluntourism activities. In 2022, visitors from Canada spent $928.2 million in Hawaiʻi, an average $188 per visitor per day.

The award was made to VoX International, which will continue its work on HTA’s behalf as Hawaiʻi Tourism Canada. The new contract, worth $2,400,000 million for the initial 2.5 year term with an option for one two-year extension, is scheduled to begin on June 30.

“HTA would like to thank all offerors for submitting their proposals, and to the respective evaluation committees whose members brought a high level of professionalism and expertise to this review process,” said John De Fries, HTA’s president & chief executive officer.

Contract terms, conditions, and amounts are subject to final negotiations with HTA and the availability of funds. The state procurement process allows for a period of protest that will expire no later than June 14, after which contracts may be finalized.