Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Launches Foundational Technical Assistance Program and Workshops for Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has launched its Foundational Technical Assistance program, aimed at supporting Hawai‘i businesses and organizations. HAWAI’I TOURISM . AUTHORITY For Immediate Release: July 15, 2024 HTA Release (24-22) Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Launches Foundational Technical Assistance Program and Workshops for Businesses and Non-Profit Organizations  HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has launched its Foundational Technical Assistance program, aimed at supporting Hawai‘i businesses and organizations. Through this program, HTA will offer comprehensive workshops on each island to provide essential resources and training in desired areas such as market understanding, cultural program development, marketing, wholesale and retail markets, and employee opportunities. “Based on our research, we developed the Foundational Technical Assistance program to address the needs of Hawai‘i’s businesses and non-profit organizations,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA board chair. “We encourage everyone — whether you’re currently in the visitor industry or interested in becoming involved — to take advantage of these free educational workshops and grow your business or organization as a part of Hawai‘i’s top economic driver.” Earlier this year, HTA and Kilohana conducted a comprehensive study to explore the needs and opportunities of businesses and community organizations currently operating in Hawai‘i’s visitor industry, as well as those that are interested in engaging in the future. Highlights from the study’s findings are outlined in HTA’s newly released publication, “Turning the Tide” (also published in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) and serve as the foundation for HTA’s initiatives supporting a regenerative tourism future, including the Foundational Technical Assistance program.  “One of the opportunities that regenerative tourism presents is to leverage the tourism economy as a positive change agent for communities,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO. “By empowering Hawai‘i’s businesses and community organizations to be successful in the visitor industry, we ensure that local people have a voice in the destination’s management.” The workshops are free and open to all interested participants. Advance registration is encouraged at fair tailored to the needs of the respective island. Workshop Schedule and Details: O‘ahu Connecting With/Within the O‘ahu Visitor Industry         Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Place: Hawai‘i Convention Center Maui Connecting With/Within the Maui Visitor Industry Date: Monday, July 29, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Place: Maui Arts & Cultural Center Deep Diving & Marketing in the Visitor Industry on Maui Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Place: Maui Arts & Cultural Center Kaua‘i Connecting With/Within the Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Place: Kaua‘i Community College Hawai‘i Island Connecting With/Within the Hawai‘i Island Visitor Industry Date: Monday, August 26, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Place: La‘i‘ōpua 2020 Lānai Deep Diving & Connecting with Culture in the Visitor Industry on Hawai‘i Island Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Place: ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center For more information, email [email protected]. To register, visit ### PRINT RELEASE About the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is the state agency responsible for representing The Hawaiian Islands around the world, and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, and visitor industry needs. HTA works with the community and industry to Mālama Hawaiʻi – care for our beloved home. For more information about HTA, visit hawaiitourismauthority.org or follow @HawaiiHTA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X. For more information, contact: T. Ilihia Gionson Public Affairs Officer Hawai‘i Tourism Authority [email protected] Keep in touch with HTA via social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Youtube    HTA recognizes the use of the 'okina ['] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai'i such as Lāna'i). However, HTA respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses. Join Our Mailing List Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority | 1801 Kalākaua Avenue | Honolulu, HI 96815 US | | Constant Contact Data Notice