The Pleasure Image Of Honolulu Tourism Essay

When we say Hawaii, the first things that come to our mind are nice weather, sandy beaches and relaxation. For my assignment I chose the capital and largest city of Hawaii, Honolulu. The reason of choosing this ‘heaven on earth’ as the convention destination is not only because of its personality as the city of pleasure, but also because Honolulu represents an economic centre and principal port of the Hawaiian Islands where business can be conducted. Due to the fact that Hawaii ranks among the top 3 destinations for leisure travel in the US, Honolulu is a location that attracts a possible event clientele.

From the pleasure side, Honolulu has an agreeable year-round climate, so planned events could be held at any given time of the year. Due to the fact that Honolulu has the lowest rate of violent crime of any US city, visitors can feel safe and secure.

Besides enjoying the great climate and swimming on the magnificent beaches, the spectacular views of active volcanoes on the outlying islands also represent an attraction.

The wealth of natural beauty combined with the splendid volcanoes offers a truly great choice for tourists. However, regardless of all the beauty of the volcanoes, tourists primarily are coming because of sun, sea and beaches. Several beaches are covered with black and green sand, which leaves no one indifferent.

Their banks are covered with finest black and green stones, which are incurred by volcanic activity. The color of the beach combined with the beautiful blue oceans is unforgettable.

Honolulu is a popular tourist destination and ‘Surfers Paradise’. The most famous and popular local beach is Waikiki Beach. Waikiki Beach has numerous hotels. Above the town rises the volcanic crater Diamond Head. From the top of the volcano is a beautiful view of Honolulu and surrounding areas. A further tourist attraction is the famous military base of Pearl Harbor. Additionally, in the surrounding areas are bamboo forests.

Additional places of interest are:

Aloha Tower, is described as the beautiful 10-story Aloha Tower, one of Hawaii’s best-known landmarks. It is built in 1926 when all travels were done by boat. The tower was created in order to make an impression for tourists during entering and leaving the harbour.

Kapiolani is Honolulu’s largest park, which contains a zoo, an aquarium, and the well -known Waikiki Shell structure.

The Honolulu Botanical Gardens which contains four gardens in and around the city.

The Arizona Memorial, for the 1,100 who died during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

The University of Hawaii

The Bishop Museum, well-known for its studies of Polynesia.

The Honolulu Academy of Arts, known for its Asian and Hawaiian collections.

Kawaiahao Church (1841), where funerals for Hawaiian monarchs and nobility were held.

Iolani Palace, the previous home of Hawaii’s kings, which represents the only royal palace in the United States.

The factors that affected the city’s growth as the business centre of Hawaii are:

geo-political position of Honolulu;

tourism development;

diversification of industry;

development of harbour facilities;

the achievement of an international airport;

constructions of luxury hotels;

natural habitats of endemic species;

ores;

forests and

volcanoes.

Because of all this, Honolulu attracts a large number of tourists yearly. The Hawaiians make several hundred billion dollars annually “selling” sea, sun, palm trees and its superior climate.

THE BUSINESS IMAGE OF HONOLULU

From the business point of view, Honolulu has the remarkable 1.1 million-square-foot Hawaiian Convention Centre. Moreover my research indicates that Honolulu has hosted conferences and events for many well-known corporations, including:

The National Psychological Association

National Medical Association

Hawaiian State Department of Health

As a result of developed tourism, the population is focused on tourism and hospitality. During the past 100 years and due to its many advantages, the island attracted investors from the United States to invest considerable sums of money in its development.

Honolulu’s current industry foundations include tourism, followed by:

federal defence expenditures;

agricultural exports (chiefly pineapples);

telecommunications and

mining.

Moreover, worthwhile mentioning industries of Honolulu are:

jewellery;

printing and publishing;

clothing;

food and beverages;

rubber products;

construction materials and

electronics and computer equipment.

Additionally, Honolulu represents the regional headquarters for many well-known companies such as:

Hawaiian Airlines;

Bank of Hawaii;

Oahu Transit Services, Inc. and

Kaiser Permanente Medical Group.

In addition, this city has several colleges and universities, including the University of Hawaii-Manoa, Hawaii Pacific University and Chaminade University of Honolulu.

MEETING SERVICE PROVIDERS

Based on my research extra meeting service providers in Honolulu are:

The Catering Connection Unlimited Inc. represents the Award Winning Catering Connection Unlimited. It offers detailed execution, superior quality, creative culinary creations and complete beverage services.

Creations in Catering represent Food Services famous for creating and producing successful “on-premise” and “off-premise” catered functions and special events. Creations in Catering is Known in the industry for producing award-winning presentations, Creations in Catering has gained recognition on the international, national and local levels for its expertise and creativity.

Production Hawaii is Event Rental Décor service which offers event equipment such as Clear-span structures, Canopy tents, Stages, Portable floors, Carpeting, Dance floors, Tables, Chairs, Bleachers, Air conditioners, and Pipe & Drape Trade Show Booths.

Anthony Calleja Photography is Production & Design Service by a professional photographer and artist whose specialities include Commercial, Corporate, Events, Banquet Dinners, Conventions, Product, and Stage Performances.

CONVENTION AND VISITOR BUREAUS SERVICES

Convention and visitor bureaus are organizations which offer to the meeting planners’ access to a variety of services, packages and value-added extras through meeting preparation, planning and applying. The main functions of CVB’s are locating meeting places, checking hotel availabilities, arranging events.

The advantages that CVB facilities offer to meeting planers are:

Access to a range of services and value-added extras through a bureau.

Help for developing the convention schedule through the creation of pre and post-conference activities, spouse tours, and hosting of special events.

Direction for products and services that will work best to accommodate clients’ needs and budgets.

Mediatising and matching meeting needs to the products, services, and speakers available in a community.

Connecting planners with the suppliers, from motorcoach companies and caterers to off-site entertainment venues.

Offering information about services and facilities in the destination.

Informing about local events with which your meeting may beneficially coincide (like festivals or sporting events).

Providing hotel room count and meeting space statistics, keeping a convention/meetings/events calendar in order to help planners avoid conflicts and/or space shortages.

Matching properties to specific meeting requirements and budgets.

Work with city government to get special permits and to cut through formalities.

Some of the specific services that can be offered to the meeting planners are as well:

collateral material ;

help with on-site logistics, including registration ;

housing bureaus ;

supplementary services, for example production companies, catering, transportation ;

speakers and local educational opportunities ;

security ;

coordination of local transportation and

access to special venues.

Hawaii Visitors And Convention Bureau

http://custom.cvent.com/33CBACD109164CAB81B5F1D8FEA72786/pix/RFP/CF55FB69F5CF4D158028D9B5B66451AA/8e9114ca3d454f94aad464c7693ef81b.jpg

2270 Kalakaua Avenue Suite 801

Honolulu

HI

96815

Listing/VenueOverview.aspx?ofrgstub=cf55fb69-f5cf-4d15-8028-d9b5b66451aa&pnum=1&so=1&returl=%2fRFP%2fVenues.aspx%3fma%3d47%26vtt%3d1%26wt.mc_id%3dDG_Right_Nav%26vt%3d32&ckm=L1JGUC9WZW51ZXMuYXNweD9tYT00NyZ2dHQ9MSZ3dC5tY19pZD1ER19SaWdodF9OYXYmdnQ9MzI=

21.275800

-157.823400

3

CVB

According to the Hawaiian Visitors and Convention Bureau description, Hawaii is world renowned destination of ‘breathtaking natural beauty’. Despite the image of a ‘dream destination’, Honolulu is a centre of international commerce and business meetings.

AVAILABLE HOTELS AND CONFERENCE CENTRES FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

My research points towards available hotels and conference centres as follows:

The Hawaiian Imin International Conference Centre is designed for an international audience, offering outstanding resources to produce successful events of all kinds.

The Hawaiian Convention Centre is easily located closest to the hotel-plentiful Waikiki Beach, which offers more than 30,000 hotel rooms. The centre is located 7.5 miles of The Honolulu International Airport .The Hawaii Convention Centre gives to the guest’s opportunity to take pleasure in Hawaii from inside. As it described more than 60 percent of the centre is landscaped with palm trees and green tropical plants. The Centre includes tropical garden and waterfall. Worthwhile mentioning is the fact that the centre was voted the most beautiful convention centre in the world by the International Association of Exhibition Management and is the winner of nine consecutive Prime Site Awards. The convention center has nearly 150,000 square feet of meeting space, cutting-edge technology and delicious Hawaiian cuisine.

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Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa according to the description represents an ideal place for planning an event by reason of premier meeting rooms set in the heart of a tropical island getaway. The hotel as it is described features 19,500 square feet of function space, 2,050 square feet of pre function space, and 9,800 square feet of exhibit space.

Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort Waikiki Beach is located in the heart of Waikiki, with short walking distance from shopping, dining, and attractions. It includes more than 12,000 square feet of gathering space provides the perfect setting for parties, weddings, or business functions. As it described, there are eight meeting rooms ranging from the intimate 780-square-foot Board Room to our 4,340-square-foot Ballroom, which can host a reception for up to 300 guests. Outdoor spaces include the simply outstanding Diamond Head Lawn & Terrace with breathtaking views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful Roof Garden and Roof Garden Lanais are ideal for small to mid-size meetings and receptions for up to 50, and our private beach – perfect for a sunset wedding for up to 150 guests.

Best Western The Plaza Hotel is located just half mile from Honolulu International Airport and Honolulu Military Bases.The hotel is nestled between downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and the military bases, close to some of Honolulu’s major business districts. The hotel has four different size banquet facilities, enabling to accommodate from 10 to 200 guests.

Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Hawaii offers excellent facilities and services as well as the perfect location for events.

The Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio hotel is located in the heart of Waikiki, closed to the famous Waikiki Beach. Apart the good location, the hotel has flexible meeting facilities of 17,000 sq ft.

The Doubletree Alana Hotel Waikiki is located at the entrance to Waikiki in Hawaii. As it described, hotel is four miles from downtown Honolulu, and short walk from Hawaii Convention Centre.

Turtle Bay Resort represents ‘a breathtaking background’ for meetings and events. Featuring 31,000 square feet of function and pre-function space it represents an ideal destination for events.

THE OBSTACLES OF HONOLULU

The biggest problem for the local population is constant volcanic activity, which often forced population to change residence and move the entire settlement away from active volcanoes and earthquakes, which are the results of their activities. Furthermore, a ‘double-edged sword’ is the major waves that sometimes reach the height of 25 ft. 

Waves are known to have destroyed the coast, particularly these associated with frequent hurricanes and tropical storms. One of the disadvantages of Honolulu is the high cost of living. Moreover, according to information given by tourist’s experiences, Honolulu has more cars than the Roads and Highways which can cause massive traffic.

In my opinion, some of the obstacles, such as the high cost of living and the issues with the considerable traffic need to be addressed and solved. From my point of view, the costs of living should be decreased, as well as the number of cars. Furthermore, by decreasing the number of cars and developing a more organized traffic system, road congestions may be avoided.

CONCLUSION:

Conclusively, Honolulu interested me as a location for pleasure tourism and as an economic centre as well; what I gained from my research was that I went deeper into the analysis of the city and its facilities available for conventions and meetings. Additionally, based on my research and looking at Honolulu at the point of view of meeting planner, I learnt a lot about city facts and facilities available for organizing conventions and meeting, moreover Meeting service provides, available hotels and conference centre for special events and convention and visitor bureaus services.

Feb. 6th, 2010