Protest Period For Procurements Ends, No Protests Received Awards for Destination Stewardship, U.S. and Canada Brand Marketing & Management Stand, Contracts To Be Finalized

Protest Period For Procurements Ends, No Protests Received
Awards for Destination Stewardship, U.S. and Canada Brand Marketing & Management Stand,
Contracts To Be Finalized
HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state agency responsible for
holistically managing tourism in the Hawaiian Islands, announces that the protest period for
three major procurements pertaining to destination stewardship and brand management in the
United States and Canada markets closed on June 8. With no protests received for any of the
awards announced on May 22, the awards are now final. HTA is finalizing contracts with the
selected vendors to advance Hawaiʻi’s progress toward regenerative tourism through
destination management and visitor education.
“With the procurement protest period behind us, we look forward to continuing our work in
destination management and visitor education, advancing us toward a model of regenerative
tourism for the good of Hawaiʻi,” said John De Fries, HTA’s president and chief executive officer.
“My gratitude is extended to the state Administration and the Legislature for their support
through this process, and to our HTA staff for their dedication and commitment in advancing the
best interests of the Hawaiʻi visitor industry and the wellbeing of our local communities
statewide.”
Support Services for Destination Stewardship (RFP 23-08)
HTA issued RFP 23-08 on February 13, 2023, seeking a range of services including post-arrival
visitor education; administrative support for HTA community programs; technical assistance and
capacity building for community organizations and local businesses; and technology-enabled
solutions to manage tourism hotspots.
HTA and the evaluation committee selected the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
for this work on HTA’s behalf. The new contract, worth $27,141,457 for the initial term spanning
two and a half years, has an option for two one-year extensions, and is scheduled to begin on
June 20, 2023.
Destination Brand Management & Marketing Services: United States (RFP 23-03)
HTA issued RFP 23-03 on February 13, 2023, seeking brand management and marketing
services in the United States, Hawai‘i’s largest visitor source market. The focus is on pre-arrival
communications to educate visitors with information about safe, respectful, and mindful travel
within the Hawaiian Islands. In 2022, visitors from the United States spent $16.2 billion in
Hawaiʻi, averaging $231 per visitor, per day.
HTA and the evaluation committee selected Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau, which will
continue its work on HTA’s behalf as Hawaiʻi Tourism United States. The new contract, worth
$38,350,000 for the initial term spanning two and a half years, has an option for one two-year
extension, and is scheduled to begin on June 22, 2023.
Destination Brand Management & Marketing Services: Canada (RFP 23-02)
HTA issued RFP 23-02 on March 14, 2023, seeking a contractor to educate Canadian visitors
about traveling mindfully and respectfully while supporting Hawai‘i’s communities. The focus is
also on driving visitor spending into Hawai‘i-based businesses as a means to support a healthy
economy, and promoting festivals and events, agritourism programs, and voluntourism
activities. In 2022, visitors from Canada spent $928.2 million in Hawaiʻi, averaging $188 per
visitor, per day.
HTA and the evaluation committee selected VoX International, which will continue its work on
HTA’s behalf as Hawaiʻi Tourism Canada. The new contract, worth $2,400,000 million for the
initial term spanning two and a half years, has an option for one two-year extension, and is
scheduled to begin on June 30, 2023.
In alignment with HTA’s guiding principle of Mālama Ku‘u Home (caring for our beloved home),
its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, and the community-driven Destination Management Action Plans
being implemented on each island, the contractors’ work will advance a regenerative model of
tourism for Hawai‘i. Work performance will be measured against HTA’s Key Performance
Indicators with an emphasis on strengthening resident sentiment.
Contract terms, conditions, and amounts are subject to final negotiations with HTA and the
availability of funds.