Aloha HVCB Members,

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s new E Komo Mai Welcome Guidebook launched in the early spring of 2006. The new Welcome Guidebook will replace the existing pre-arrival welcome packet which currently includes the Hawaii Value Passport.  Participation in the Guidebook is free to Hibiscus level members and above  and offers you some excellent exposure to consumers who have already booked their Hawaii vacation with a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist travel agent.

What is the E Komo Mai Welcome Guidebook?

The Welcome Guidebook is a collection of dynamic content and special offers from golf, activities, attractions, shopping, and dining companies, personalized and available only for customers booking their vacations through a certified HVCB Hawaii Destination Specialist travel agent. The new Welcome Guidebook includes:

• A new design and format featuring easy to use, easy to read information about the customer’s vacation
  
• A personalized letter from HVCB president & CEO, John Monahan
  
• A map of the islands with general information on activities on each 
  
• A calendar of events highlighting specific festivals and events occurring in the island(s) when and where the customer is vacationing
  
• A collection of special savings, discounts or exclusive offers from HVCB member business partners only available to customers who book through an HDS certified travel agent

What are the benefits to participating HVCB members?

• Free national exposure to qualified consumers
  
• Exposure of your company’s store, location, outlet, venue before a consumer’s vacation begins and while they are vacationing in the destination. The Welcome Guidebook is intended to be a valuable resource before and during their visit in order to help them maximize their vacation value. A win win for the traveler AND your business!

Why should I consider participating?

• Participation is free to Hibiscus Level members and above
  
• The new Welcome Guidebook has been designed to meet the changing demands of travelers
  
• The Welcome Guidebook is designed to offer greater flexibility to participating HVCB members… flexibility, which allows you to input, update and change your offer as often as you choose
  
• List up to four separate offers, customizing each to the time of year that the visitor will be in our islands.  Submit one offer for your slow periods and a different one for when you're busy
  
• The new Welcome Guidebook is sent to Hawaii-bound consumers prior to their arrival
  
• As a phase two initiative, offers and value added discounts will also be accessible by HDS agents’ Hawaii-bound customers before and during their vacation via a special website listing all of the offers

How can I participate?

FREE participation is available to all HVCB member businesses in the activity, attractions, golf, dining, and shopping categories

To have your special offer included, simply log in to the Member Online Update and complete the information requested in the E Komo Mai Welcome Guidebook section. You will be asked for the text of your special offers as well as the dates that the offers are valid.

Mahalo nui loa,

Elizabeth Johnsen Managing Director, Travel Trade Partnerships
Hawaii Visitor and Convention Bureau