A New Name And Broader Focus
September 28, 2011 | Hawaiian Airlines Discount Share
The Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association’s annual general membership meeting, held recently at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Big Island, provided substance to match the promising signs of a healthy visitor industry.
One of the first orders of business was the renaming of the organization to the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association.
The change was approved by the membership and will be effective Oct. 1. The association also modified its logo and color. This new name, the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, more accurately reflects the membership of our organization.
At the time we were founded in 1947, the association consisted of 16 hotels. Today, we have a diverse membership of more than 500 hotels, condominiums, time-shares, travel and transportation firms, suppliers and related businesses and individuals representing local, national and international companies.
The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association will continue its emphasis on lodging, as we’ve done during our advocacy before the county, state and federal governments and in our relations with other business and trade groups.
But the name change also is an indication of our plans to expand our membership and continue to serve as a strong, effective voice for the visitor industry.
Says Kelvin Bloom, HLTA chairman and president of Aston Hotels & Resorts: “We believe our new name not only conveys the broad interests of our association, but our desire to reach out to businesses and individuals who share our goals and to bring us together for the good of the travel and tourism industry, our economy and our community.”
In addition to serving as a voice for the visitor industry, the HLTA sponsors scholarships for high school students, provides funding for local charities through its annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, and works closely with teachers and students through internships and academic programs. HLTA members, meanwhile, enjoy discounted rates at local member hotels, tours, car rentals and many other services or products provided by businesses affiliated with the association.
The beautiful Hapuna Beach setting for our general membership meeting offered the perfect backdrop for the rebirth of the HLTA’s Hawaii Island chapter, which had been quiet for a while. Under the leadership of Chris Luedi and Paul Horner, we can expect an active organization and calendar of events. Chris is regional vice president and general manager of Fairmont Orchid Hawaii and Paul is general manager of Sheraton Keauhou Beach Resort.
The HLTA, which is the largest visitor industry trade group in Hawaii, is a partner association of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. That’s worth noting because the AHLA is the largest trade organization of its kind in the world. It’s a nationwide federation of 52 state and city lodging associations (New York City and Washington, D.C., are the cities) and represents more than 1.5 million rooms in the United States. Members range from economy hotels to five-star resorts.
The AHLA has been working closely with the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board of the U.S. Department of Commerce on goals and objectives for the nation’s visitor industry. AHLA also has been front-andcenter in promoting expanded international travel and in endorsing visa waivers as a means of easing restrictions that hinder travel.
These developments on the national and international scenes bode very well for the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association’s members, our visitor industry, and our economy. Time and time again, Hawaii’s travel industry has proven its ability to succeed in a highly competitive environment and a growing market can only give us new opportunities to flourish.
MUFI’S VISITOR HEROES
Lisa Farley
Position: Front Services Bell Clerk
Location: Royal Hawaiian
Front services bell clerk Lisa Farley has been with the Royal Hawaiian for more than 21 years, all the while impressing guests and co-workers alike with her friendliness, positive attitude, and willingness to go above and beyond to help others.
Not only does Lisa take the initiative in planning events for fellow employees to foster teamwork, but she shares that spirit with the hotel’s guests, going so far as to give them home-grown flowers, helping them find special gifts, and otherwise making their stays memorable. She’s become a specialist in locating missing things, like mobile phones, luggage, and other personal items, and returning them to grateful guests.
When not engaged in employee activities, Lisa Farley is active with her church and other volunteer endeavors.
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