Mahalo for your interest in learning more about Hawaiʻi’s efforts toward regenerative travel through community-driven Destination Management Action Plans as well as our Mālama Hawaiʻi initiative, an industry-wide effort to encourage regenerative travel through enriching volunteer opportunities. We’re here to support your content needs and have an amazing group of partners and ambassadors on each island eager to share meaningful visitor experiences relating to culture, nature, voluntourism, adventure, and more.
After registering, you can expect details on a unique opportunity to attend a curated Hawaiian Culture Training Webinar taking place Friday, April 8.
A few notes:
- Each virtual appointment will be 30-40 minutes and limited to one media per appointment.
- If you’d like information on a particular island, please select the appropriate date. Your appointment will include a destination representative as well as an intimate group of partners and/or cultural ambassadors based on that island. If you’re seeking general destination updates, Statewide appointments will include a representative from each island.
- You're welcome to sign up for additional appointments with other islands, but will need to submit another form.
- Please complete your address as we’d love to send you a special gift as a mahalo for joining us.
We look forward to connecting with you!
DESTINATION MANGEMENT ACTION PLANS (DMAP)
Resetting the direction of tourism for the benefit of our communities
The pandemic gave Hawaiʻi a much needed pause and opportunity to reset the direction of tourism as desired by our communities. As a result, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is in the process of executing Destination Management Action Plans (DMAP) aligned with its new directive, Mālama Kū‘u Home, or care for my beloved home.
Built with input from the community, HTA oversees the implementation of the DMAPs and collaborates with government agencies, the visitor industry and community organizations to make progress on these actionable, three-year plans. Actions in the plan take a regenerative tourism approach by identifying opportunities for growth in perpetuating Hawaiian culture, protecting natural resources and enriching the community.
There is a specific DMAP for each island to honor each community's unique challenges, however there are common themes throughout:
- Actively manage hotspots (highly visited attractions/sites) with proactive mitigation planning such as implementing reservation systems.
- Increase understanding and respect between residents and visitors by strengthening communications that help educate visitors and encourage mindful behavior.
- Ensure Hawaiian culture is portrayed accurately and respectfully to provide a more authentic visitor experience.
- Develop "Buy Local" programs to enhance unique product and service offerings while keeping funds in our communities.
Learn more and view the Destination Management Action Plans for each island here.
MĀLAMA HAWAI‘I
Take a trip that gives back
In an effort to inspire mindful travel, industry partners and volunteer organizations across the state have come together with an initiative that encourages visitors to give back to the destination. Volunteer projects range from reforestation and tree planting to self-directed beach cleanups, ocean reef preservation, and even creating Hawaiian quilts for our kūpuna (elders). By making a positive impact, visitors will have a more enriching travel experience and can even enjoy a free extra night from participating hotels.
How does it work?
More than 70 hotel partners across the state are offering special packages that include a volunteer opportunity either run on property or in partnership with a local non-profit. The attractive offers, most available through 2022, include a free extra night or other value-add when participating in the designated volunteer activity. Each hotel is managing its own promotion and volunteer project.
