Travel Re-OpeningAloha, Today marks the official re-start for nonessential travelers to return to our state with confidence. I spent the morning on Hawai'i News Now's Sunrise segment to report on the rebound that the local tourism industry is beginning to experience—especially for the traditionally busy holiday season. As I noted in the interview and in other media appearances, this is great news but only marks the beginning of the road ahead. The tourism industry still has a long way to go to make up for the millions in losses incurred, and we are doing everything we can to keep the momentum moving in the right direction, and the industry as a whole is trying to bring back and hire as many people as possible. "State welcomes back vaccinated tourists, but it will take industry time to make up for lost ground," Hawai'i News Now, October 31, 2021 "Hawaii hopes for a tourism rebound when visitors are welcomed back," KHON2, October 29, 2021 We are all aware of how impactful Governor Ige's August 23 request for nonessential travel to pause was for the local economy. His announcement came in the midst of an unprecedented surge of COVID-19 here in the islands, and re-opening travel hinged upon our community's ability to turn the tide on the pandemic. Below, you will find some recent metrics that Lt. Governor Green shared with me that illustrate just how well we are doing in this regard:
I have often said that part of our islands’ appeal in the destination market is that we are one of the safest places to visit. Throughout this past year, statistics have proven that we are also one of the healthiest places to visit. This will continue to be a key component as we welcome back both domestic and international visitors. Hotels for Healthcare Heroes Round-Up This past weekend marked the conclusion of HLTA's Hotels for Healthcare Heroes initiative which provided two-night staycations to doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff around our state. In total, 715 Heroes from 34 hospital groups received 1,430 room nights over the past seven weekends. This is a significant contribution to those who are working each day to address COVID-19, and I am beyond pleased that we were able to offer this to them. Hi LG, The above is a reproduction of one of many thank you notes that were forwarded to us over the course of Hotels for Healthcare Heroes While previous iterations of this program utilized State subsidies to pay for the room nights, this most recent H4HH was made possible solely through donations from our gracious hotel partners. Sixty-five hotel properties around the state participated in H4HH, and the feedback and gratitude we have received from our Heroes has been outstanding.
Hotels for Healthcare Heroes Participating Hotels Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort Aqua Palms Waikiki Aqua Skyline Hotel at Island Colony Aston Islander on the Beach Aston Kona by the Sea Aston Mahana at Kaanapali Aston Waikiki Beach Tower Aston Waikiki Sunset Aston at the Waikiki Banyan Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel Best Western Pioneer Inn Coconut Waikiki Hotel Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk Ewa Hotel Waikiki Fairmont Kea Lani Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort Halepuna Waikiki Hampton Inn Hampton Inn & Suites Oahu/Kapolei Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hilo Hawaiian Hotel Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Holiday Inn Express Waikiki Hotel Wailea Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa Aston Kaanapali Shores Kaimana Beach Hotel Luana Waikiki Hotel & Suites Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club Maui Beach Hotel Mauna Kea Resort Montage Kapalua Bay Napili Kai Beach Resort OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites Pagoda Hotel Poipu Kai Resort Prince Waikiki Royal Hawaiian Hotel Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Sheraton Kauai Resort Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Sheraton Waikiki Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club The Cliffs at Princeville The Imperial Hawaii Resort The ISO The Laylow, Autograph Collection The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort Turtle Bay Resort Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Waikiki Resort Hotel Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott Maui White Sands Hotel My deepest mahalo to each of you who helped to make Hotels for Healthcare Heroes a major success! -Mufi
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