HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has launched its Foundational Technical Assistance program, aimed at supporting Hawai‘i businesses and organizations. Through this program, HTA will offer comprehensive workshops on each island to provide essential resources and training in desired areas such as market understanding, cultural program development, marketing, wholesale and retail markets, and employee opportunities.

“Based on our research, we developed the Foundational Technical Assistance program to address the needs of Hawai‘i’s businesses and non-profit organizations,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA board chair. “We encourage everyone — whether you’re currently in the visitor industry or interested in becoming involved — to take advantage of these free educational workshops and grow your business or organization as a part of Hawai‘i’s top economic driver.”

Earlier this year, HTA and Kilohana conducted a comprehensive study to explore the needs and opportunities of businesses and community organizations currently operating in Hawai‘i’s visitor industry, as well as those that are interested in engaging in the future. Highlights from the study’s findings are outlined in HTA’s newly released publication, “Turning the Tide” (also published in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi) and serve as the foundation for HTA’s initiatives supporting a regenerative tourism future, including the Foundational Technical Assistance program.

“One of the opportunities that regenerative tourism presents is to leverage the tourism economy as a positive change agent for communities,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO. “By empowering Hawai‘i’s businesses and community organizations to be successful in the visitor industry, we ensure that local people have a voice in the destination’s management.”

The workshops are free and open to all interested participants. Advance registration is encouraged at https://regenerativetourismhawaii.info/foundational. Each session will feature industry experts, panel discussions and a resource fair tailored to the needs of the respective island.

Workshop Schedule and Details:

Oʻahu

Connecting With/Within the Oʻahu Visitor Industry

Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: Hawai‘i Convention Center

Maui

Connecting With/Within the Maui Visitor Industry

Date: Monday, July 29, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: Maui Arts & Cultural Center

Deep Diving & Marketing in the Visitor Industry on Maui

Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Time: 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Place: Maui Arts & Cultural Center

Kauaʻi

Connecting With/Within the Kauaʻi Visitor Industry

Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: Kaua‘i Community College

Hawaiʻi Island

Connecting With/Within the Hawaiʻi Island Visitor Industry

Date: Monday, August 26, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: La‘i‘ōpua 2020 Lānai

Deep Diving & Connecting with Culture in the Visitor Industry on Hawaiʻi Island

Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Place: ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center

For more information, email [email protected]. To register, visit https://regenerativetourismhawaii.info/foundational.​