Hawaiʻi Tourism Summit to Address the Future of Travel

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) will be hosting their Global Tourism Summit from Oct. 1 to 3 at the Honolulu Convention Center. The theme of this yearʻs summit is Charting the Course, which HTA said will focus on the need for balancing tourism’s popularity with its impact on local communities.

HTA said that the summit’s four keynote speakers will address tourism’s economic influence as well as its challenges. The summit will explore how airlines, accommodations, and activities need to adapt to new consumer interests and trends changing trends in the travel industry.

HTA stated that the summit will feature presentations and panel discussions that showcase the need for sustainable tourism, the significance of the Hawaiian culture, new travel innovations, and Hawaiʻi’s global marketing programs in 2019.

“The Global Tourism Summit’s overriding objective is focusing on how tourism can continually be improved for everyone’s benefit, both in Hawaiʻi and around the world,”  HTA president George D. Szigeti said. “We have four outstanding keynote speakers who will address topics important to anyone who cares about tourism and its future.”

Below is a list of the summit’s four keynote speakers, the schedule for their presentations, and the topics they will address:

Stephen England-Hall, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand

Monday, Oct. 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Topic: For Global Good: The Transformative Power of Tourism

Tourism is a global driver of economic development, a vehicle for building understanding, generating wealth and a force for sustainable growth – while also creating challenges for residents and communities. A well-designed visitor economy has the power to make positive global change.

Susie Vowinkel, Industry Director for Travel, Google

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Topic: Travel in the Age of Assistance

In the Age of Assistance, consumers are expecting every brand to leverage technology to provide them with helpful, personal and frictionless experiences. This is especially true in the travel industry.

Chris Malone, Managing Partner, Fidelum Partners

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Luncheon)

Topic: The HUMAN Brand: Building Guest Loyalty in the Digital Age

Research shows people relate to companies, brands and destinations similar to how they perceive, judge and behave toward one another – based on warmth and competence. Many widely accepted travel and hospitality practices are at odds with our natural triggers of engagement, trust and loyalty. Attendees will be inspired to challenge conventional wisdom and change how they interact with guests.

Michael Dominguez, Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, MGM Resorts International

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Topic: Connecting the Dots: What Does All the Disruption Mean from a Strategic View

The travel world has become more complex with factors like cyber security, meetings advocacy, behavioral changes and health and wellness growing in prominence. Learn about the latest trends in the hotel industry and gain a better understanding of the economic environment and how structural changes will have an impact in 2019 and beyond.

Participants can register for the Global Tourism Summit online www.globaltourismsummithawaii.com, and choose from one of the following options:

Individuals: Full Summit Registration, October 1-3: $425

Group Package (Minimum of 8 people): Full Summit Registration, October 1-3: $2,600 total, a savings of $100 per person. Groups can mix and match different attendees during the conference.

Students and Faculty Members: Full Summit Registration, October 1-3: $150

Students: 1-Day Summit Registration (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday): $50

Individuals: 2-Day Summit Registration, October 1-2: $315

Individuals: 2-Day Summit Registration, October 2-3: $295