How do you find the latest Hawaii tourism buzzwords? Are you on board or do you find them insulting?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
How do you find the latest Hawaii tourism buzzwords? Are you on board or do you find them insulting?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
“The brand marketing will be targeted to mindful travelers with an emphasis on lifetime trip expenditures and increasing per person, per day expenditures.”
It seems that some lawmakers in Hawai’i prefer that only billionaires visit the island, and how sad is that?
I always believed that being a “mindful” tourist in Hawaii meant not venturing off marked hiking trails, not trespassing on private property, not disturbing wildlife, taking only photos, and leaving only footprints. If spending more money per day is the new definition of “mindful”, then just realize that travelling to Hawaii is already one of the most expensive travel options for the average Canadian traveler. After flight, hotel, car rental, and currency exchange, there isn’t a lot of money left to order up the Surf N’ Turf. The suggestion that Hawaii prefers travelers with deeper pockets seems like the wrong message from a tourism board.
I just returned from taking/introducing my 18 year old Granddaughter to the Islands. In reference to the article about being mindful-She learned the term “mindful” of those cleaning the airport toilet, housekeeping at the hotel. Saying Thank You and a tip is respectful from the area of the Southern Mainland where we reside. Shame on those that do not have the same respect, European or otherwise.
I’ve lived on Oahu for over 12 years now and am very familiar with the handwringing over our state’s near-total dependence on tourism. Telling tourists to be “mindful” is patronizing and offensive, especially when that same message doesn’t get delivered to locals who vandalize public restrooms, kill Hawaiian monk seals, and break into vehicles to steal. But, even more to the point, is that messaging at all helpful? Do tourists actually improve their behavior after being told to be “mindful”? My guess is no.