News Releases
Hawaii Tourism Authority President & CEO Chris Tatum Announces His Retirement
For Immediate Release: June 3, 2020
HTA Release (20-79)
2020-06-03 HTA Chris Tatum Retirement
HONOLULU – After a 40-year career dedicated to serving the hospitality industry and working to make a positive difference for Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) President & CEO Chris Tatum announced he’s retiring. His last day at HTA will be August 31.
Tatum was appointed to the top tourism position for the State of Hawaii in December 2018 after a 37-year career with Marriott International.
Under his leadership, HTA established Hawaii's direction for tourism’s future in the coming years with its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. HTA is putting an increased focus on destination management, which includes investing more time and money in programs that support the community, perpetuate the Hawaiian culture, and protect Hawaii's natural resources. He also advocated for workplace development in tourism to provide local students with career opportunities in hospitality.
“I’m very proud of the HTA team and our refocused plans to develop a balanced strategy for tourism. With active collaboration from the community, we need to create a sustainable industry that is respectful of the culture and protects our environment for future generations. I plan to spend the next three months working with the HTA board on the transition and supporting the state’s recovery efforts,” Tatum said.
HTA Board Chair Rick Fried commented, “Chris is smart, candid, always puts the residents of Hawai‘i first, and, most importantly to me, is unfailingly honest. When he asked to come to my office on Monday, I assumed it was just to discuss various HTA matters as we often do. After a few minutes of talking he handed me a brown envelope with his resignation letter and explained his thinking. I deal with many sad cases, but I teared up when it became clear his decision was final.”
HTA Chief Administrative Officer Keith Regan said, “It has been such a blessing to have had the opportunity to work alongside Chris. From the first day, he displayed all the great qualities you’d expect from a true leader. Besides his decisive and passionate approach, what I’ve really appreciated has been his willingness to share, teach, and mentor those around him has elevated the whole organization. He has placed HTA on the right footing, focused on balance and sustainability. We owe him a true debt of gratitude and I, for one, am truly indebted to him for his incredible leadership.”
Prior to joining HTA, his experience included executive leadership positions on the U.S. mainland, in Asia, Australia, and Hawaii. His career started as a housekeeping houseman at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel during his summers home from college.