Hawai‘i Tourism Earns National Awards

Travel Expert & Television Host Samantha Brown, HTUSA Senior Director Travel Industry Partnerships Robyn Basso and ASTA Vice President of Business Development Robert Dugli. Photo courtesy of the American Society of Travel Agents.

Hawai‘i Tourism United States, managed by the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau, earned numerous awards from the American Society of Travel Agents, Travel Weekly and the U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations for its work with travel agents and its successful #LetHawaiiHappen campaign.

“Competition for travelers is constant and the focus of these national awards conveys the creativity and diligence HTUSA employs continuously to showcase Hawai‘i’s distinctive appeal to travel professionals and consumers seeking a destination experience unmatched anywhere,” said George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “Congratulations to HTUSA for their excellence in serving travel professionals and sharing the qualities of the Hawaiian Islands that attract travelers throughout the U.S. mainland.”

Awards include:

The American Society of Travel Agents Destination Partner of the Year: The award recognizes suppliers that show a willingness to collaborate and reward travel professionals for their work.

The Travel Weekly Magellan Award: The award honors the best in travel and salutes outstanding travel professionals. HTUSA earned gold and silver distinctions for its #LetHawaiiHappen video series.

The U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organization’s Mercury Award: HTUSA clinched the sole accolade in the category of Branding and Integrated Marketing Campaign for a State Marketing Budget More Than $15 Million.

HTUSA’s #LetHawaiiHappen campaign entry demonstrated effective integration of two or more components of a marketing campaign including advertising, digital media, print and social media, and was recognized as engaging, impactful and highly relevant to millennials.