Free China Visitor Workshop Offered on Maui

Sun Mei statue in Keokeoa, photo courtesy County of Maui.

By Maui Now Staff

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development has teamed up with the Maui Visitor’s Bureau to produce a free workshop entitled “On the Horizon….China Visitors. Maui, Are You Ready?”

The workshop will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Mākena Beach and Golf Resort’s Kāʻeo Ballroom.

The event, which is open to the public, targets the visitor industry and other business sectors or individuals interested in learning more about the rapidly growing Chinese visitor market.

“Visitors from China represent an exciting growth opportunity for Maui County,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa in a county press release. “We need to educate ourselves on how to welcome both groups and individuals from China, and how to provide them with a quality experience,” he said.

Teena Rasmussen, director of the Office of Economic Development also commented saying the workshop will present an “up-to-date, fresh and relevant view of what visitors from China want to experience during their Hawaiian vacation.”

Terryl Vencl, executive director for the Maui Visitor’s Bureau, added that the China market has shown significant growth over the past year and said, “The State of Hawaiʻi has seen an increase of 23.5% in visitors from China over last year, and Maui County has seen a 31.5% increase over last year.”

The workshop will include discussion on marking efforts from representatives with Hawaiian Airlines and HTA-China.

Discussion will also include communication barriers, and a question and answer session with a panel of tour operators from China.

Workshop space is limited and is seating is available on a first-come, first served basis. The session is free but participants must pre-register by visiting and filling out information online.