The CEO of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), Chris Tatum, announced yesterday that he will retire and leave not only his job but also Hawaii. This comes as we undoubtedly face the worst situation and the greatest challenges ahead in Hawaii travel. This vacancy calls for someone creative, with an extensive background in tourism marketing. Tatum will be departing his position in August and moving to Colorado at that time.
Tatum has worked in travel for decades, largely at Marriott. He took the helm at long-troubled HTA about 18 months ago. Yesterday Tatum said, “I’m happy with what we’ve accomplished… I’m very proud of the HTA team and our refocused plans to develop a balanced strategy for tourism.”
HTA funding is largely based on accommodation taxes, which essentially dried up two months ago and have not restarted. Even when Hawaii travel restarts, funding will return at a trickle. We have not heard how the state plans to support Hawaii marketing going forward. The HTA budget for 2020 was $86 million, while the projected 2021 budget is now set at just $55 million.
Troubled past and unknown future at HTA.
What this means is that the critically important agency is again facing an unknown future at a time when leadership is most needed. The agency has had a very difficult past. The prior head, George Szigeti was fired by the HTA board in 2018, and lost his $300k job, without cause. At that time, the state auditor said that HTA suffered from “lax oversight (and) deficient internal controls.”
Hawaii travel stakeholders have privately shared with us their concerns about HTA and the state’s abilities, leadership, and direction in tourism for years. In recent times, the agency has also had an abnormally high turnover rate, with at least a dozen key staff departures. Given that they have only about 20 full-time employees, that is an absurd number of comings and goings, and does not bode well for HTA.
The prior CEO’s abrupt firing came right on the heels of rapid-fire departures of the prior chief operating officer and the chief marketing officer, who both left unexpectedly.
Hawaii’s governor has no background in tourism.
At the helm in Hawaii is Governor David Ige, whose background does not include Hawaii travel. He worked for Hawaiian Telcom for 18 years, and has held other engineering positions. He came to be governor following years in the state senate after first being appointed to and serving in the state assembly. Ige’s legislative career was focused on IT and telecom initiatives.
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Mary Kay says
Hawaii is full of people bashing tourists, it happens to me nearly every time I post to one of the Hawaii Facebook groups. Right now, you are dependent on tourists and that needs to change. But in order to change, you are going to need money, and right now, tourism means money. I hear there are many young people who want to farm and ranch, is that true? I don’t know many young people who want to do that. Revamp and modernize that sugar mill on Hansen Rd in Maui, make it cheaper to make sugar local than it is to ship it in. Create hoteling businesses that are office space for remote workers that offer secure internet, phone, other amenities, so that people can work remotely for mainland companies. The time difference could help solve the problem of finding second shift workers. Going to have to get creative to get away from dependence on tourism, but first you need tourism back. I finally got my family to go to Hawaii for the first time in March. Now they see all this and are saying never again, California and Mexico and even the Caribbean are closer, cheaper, and most importantly, OPENING UP. Your governor needs to get out in the sunshine and make some rational decisions before it is too late.
Cf says
Thank you Mary K. I agree 100 percent. Hawaii is off on the worst possible track by again not thinking before opening thier mouths to say no aloha to tourists, not opening up, and policies and draconian rules. They want to protect all with an indefinite lockdown and tourist ban but cant see the cure is worse than the disease/virus. Respect the tourists and honor them. Be grateful if they ever visit again. Instead hawaii acts like a out of control child telling usa citizens they all cant follow quar antine rules so dont come.
Hawaii is sick and needs intervention desperately. The situation is dire as many have stated but hawaii is also in denial of that. Wake up hawaii!
Dave R says
If you come to California, please follow the rules. We are *not* fully open and we don’t need people coming in here breaking the rules. Bring your masks, because they are required in stores and shops (many of which are still closed). Keep your distance, because the 6-foot rule is still in place. Hawai’i has been very successful with their rules (one of the lowest death rates in the US or indeed the world) and they are to be congratulated. As for Mexico, you might be surprised if you go. Their C0VID rates have been lower than the US and many Mexicans see C0VID as an unwelcome gringo import. Therefore, the gringos often find themselves unwelcome as well. Oh, and stay out of the many areas that are too dangerous due to drug gangs. The world isn’t a great big Disneyland anymore (if it ever was).
Sharon K. says
It is a loss for Hawaii to have such a qualified travel leader leave this state!!! Hawaii is indeed in a lot of trouble, when the cure is worse than the desease, it’s time to change and take a chance and open up travel…the suggestion to have potential visitors do pre testing just prior to boarding flights is a good idea. We need to have our tourists return!!! People are starving, people have no money to live, many are at the end of their rope…we need to get back to work…please Governor Ige, open up Hawaii now or we will not survive. Thank you
Robbos says
It should be a dream job – but how many CEOs has Hawaii Tourism Authority has in the last decade? The problems there are clearly deeper than the chief executive. An audit might be interesting.
Rather than a travel industry expert who would simply deepen our reliance on a single industry, I’d like to see the next CEO have a background in community resilience and sustainable economies, someone that would help keep tourism healthy while widely diversifying how we all feed our families.
Dave R says
You are right. Sadly, it’s all about big money and easy money. Roberts Tours, JTB, big hotel chains, etc. will do whatever it takes to keep their golden goose. I’ve watched both Waikiki and the North Shore get increasingly commercialized and homogenized over the years. It’s sad, and it was unnecessary. And of course the other islands aren’t immune, either. The state has done some good studies for industry diversification, but there’s not much indication that anything will be done.
JeffW says
As I’ve said in other Beat of Hawaii posts, Until Governor Ige can figure out how to govern, airlines need to offer refunds to those who plan to travel within the next few months. I find it abominable what He is doing to the great Hawaiian people and think they should start a recall petition! They suffer and will continue to do so from his incompetence!
Dave R says
Enough with the political complaining. This is a travel site. Everyone is free to campaign, support candidates, and vote. Right now, about 70% of voters in HI support the quarantine and related measures. Complain to them. This isn’t the venue.
Lynn B says
Aloha!
Wanted to let you and your readers know I had a very positive experience w/HA when my RT flight to Boston scheduled for 2 June was cancelled. Based on comments from other readers, I had contacted HA via Fb messaging. When I rec’d the May 20 email cancelling the flight, I messaged HA and then downloaded the Refund form on their website. The full cash refund was credited to my MC on 01 June. They emailed me saying that points I’d used to upgrade would take about another three weeks to return to my mileage account. Hope this info helps other readers. I did cancel a Sept/Oct flight, but voluntarily took a credit.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lynn.
Thanks for letting us know.
Aloha.
Sonia S says
We had to reschedule a month vacation in Maui for October.
Any positive thoughts on allowing tourists visiting in October?
Jackie says
Consider yourself lucky. Hawaiian Airlines changed my booking of LAX-OGG direct to one that connected in Honolulu. Conveniently for them, the LAX-HNL and HNL-OGG flights never canceled, so they refused to refund our money. We were going first class so it’s a good sum of money. Of course, the hotels were no longer wanting to have guests, which is understandable, so our villas got canceled. I felt like Hawaiian was underhanded. But what do they care? Answer: They don’t. Over $3500 of our money just held in their bank account. SMH. It’s unreal.
Carrie L. says
Jackie, I just went through this today. HA cancelled my direct flight and rebooked me on a layover flight through Honolulu without asking me. When I went to cancel they initially refused the refund (4 1st class tickets). This is actually illegal and against DOT airline regulations. I escalated to a manager and they agreed to refund my money minus a change fee of $50 a ticket. Still illegal but I took the refund minus the $200. Another travel blog advised that we should file a complaint with federal Department of Transportation AND dispute the charge with your credit card company. I did both. Hope this helps.
Interestingly, the HA employee told me that the governor asked them to cancel the direct flights to other islands and run them through Honolulu. I guess it bothers me this being done behind closed doors. The governor needs to just be open and upfront with what his plan is. All of these changes and mixed signals are not good. Disrespectful of everyone’s time. If his plan is to force everyone’s direct flight through HON for whatever reason, he needs to declare this to the public. And HA needs to stop pretending that they don’t need to give refunds for cancelled flights.
Scott says
Don’t worry Citizens of Hawaii….keep voting Democrat!
We’re bound to get lucky one of these days and get an actual Leader.
Dave R says
Please. Enough with the partisan politics. It adds nothing to the discussion.
Mark P says
Free Hawaiian resident hostages!
Oops, PC “Hawai’ian“
Free speech
Ur creed: shut up and obey
Mark P says
Spot on!
deb M. says
Someone that knows tourism is leaving because they know that it’s bad. I don’t blame him. I would not want to be associated with a governor that is going to completely ruin the economy.Not giving any dates for people to even plan a vacation will not work. Plz give a date so people don’t lose more than they allready have!
Dave R says
Please educate yourself on travel and quar antine restrictions in other states, riots on the mainland, etc. Then compare that to the situation in HI.
PAMELA M says
Oh holy moly.
My gosh, can anything else go awry?
The guy who wants to never open the islands to tourists is now the de-facto person in charge.
Mahalo for this information Beat of Hawai’i and may God help us all.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pamela.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Cf says
The Author states “ Hawaii travel stakeholders have privately shared with us their concerns about HTA and the state’s abilities, leadership, and direction in tourism for years. ”
I share all those concerns as a resident and tourist before that to Hawaii. C0vid was like pouring gasoline on the fire or the volcano erupting 🌋. Incompetent leadership, now with c0vid. 19 ways to mess up your life, with a bonus 1%. Chance of death.
It seems like the tourists are floyd 💀 and the native Hawaiians have become the ultra left wing police 🚔 In other words the reverse of what is happening in the continental usa, or mainland. Arresting tourists going to the grocery store is not acceptable.
Michelle M says
I don’t think it’s appropriate to compare the murder of a black individual to the struggles Hawaiian tourists face.
kiawe says
There seem to be a lot of people badmouthing any efforts to prudently reopen Hawaii, all with complaints about government or other things that aren’t relevant. Please kokua and keep the politics out of it! And if you have a good idea otherwise, we’d like to hear it!
Dave R says
Arresting scofflaws endangering others is not only acceptable, it’s desirable. Those who refuse to follow the rules (which also apply to returning residents) should pay the price.
Mark says
Glad u arent in chg of containing the Country’s rioting n looting—or scoflaws— as you de minimus the situation.
Julie G. says
Hawaii and Aloha is word of mouth. No expensive marketing needed.
Roger C. says
Why market something you don’t have? That is a place for tourists. Since the average tourist came for 5 to 10 days they are no longer allowed and will be arrested on sight. Residents are encouraged to snitch on them. A worse situation could not exist unless you had an outbreak of the vi rus on Hawaii. So no $300K job and no $55 million budget is necessary. BTW word of mouth is not marketing for multi million dollar properties. It takes big bucks to bring in people to fill these properties. But they will be available on the cheap soon. After they all go bankrupt from lack of occupancy.
Dave R says
“A worse situation could not exist unless you had an outbreak of the virus on Hawaii.”
So your solution is to let people come pouring in and get that outbreak? HI has one of the lowest death rates (by far) in the US. And you want that to change? Frightening.
It’s so revealing to see all the irate comments by people who want HI to be a big outdoor theme park and they’re upset that it’s not.
Joesph K. says
Totally agree. Get rid of HTA all together! Hawaii doesnt need marketing for goodness sake. I liked the idea of each island organizing small roundtable discussions on how we can bounce back from this. Here on Maui’s Westside, which is total tourism, we should be able to give our input on how to welcome guests back properly. Then from that, give our input to our mayor. Kauai is already kind of doing that, other islands should follow.
I wonder if Ige reads Beat of Hawaii threads? He should….
Linda M. says
Thank you for continually keeping us up to date. As a vacation condo owner, I appreciate getting the news.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Linda.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Nancy H says
Maybe a fresh start is just what is needed right now. I nominate anyone from Beat of Hawaii for the new CEO at HTA.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Nancy.
LOL. Thank you.
Aloha.
Guy O says
What is his “balanced strategy for tourism” mean? These are challenging times and tourism has died and needs strong leadership to be revived. Tatum is a coward who bailed when he is needed the most. Bet he got a bountiful golden parachute.
Mary S. says
Beat of Hawaii has been a great addition to my travel knowledge.
You provide up to date information, I find interesting and important in my decisions concerning travel
to the islands. I appreciate your research and links to other businesses that are associated with travel
to Hawaii. Thank you and PLEASE keep up the good work✌🏻
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mary.
Thanks so much!
Aloha.
michael d. says
so we’ll be able to book february vacation soon…?
Chris O. says
Yeah, February 2025
Ron M. says
I was surprised to read Governor David Ige was in communications.
I was in Hawaii when the missed threat happened.
His lack of communication left many people in a lot of stress.
Now I see he is the wrong person in his response to CV.
Andrew M. says
Yes I noticed your governor doesn’t know what he’s doing and it’s sad the tourism and the people of Hawaii have to go through this I know he wants to be careful but please all were asking we need answers some of us have already booked for September October and then some but he’s not giving us any answers He’s him and hine and we don’t like it mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Andrew.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Donna M. says
I noticed your governor in Hawaii doesn’t know what the heck he’s doing and it’s sad because the people in Hawaii suffer and so do the tourists from the mainland I’m sorry you guys have to go through this and I’m sorry for the tourism also
Carolyn H says
Is hawaii cleared for travel yet flying from San Francisco to mauii?
Rita D says
We have always enjoyed our Hawaii vacations. But on different Hawaii sites I’m on now I am learning that the residents really don’t want us to visit. Tourism is really going to suffer as is the economy of Hawaii. I won’t go where I’m not welcome.
Sarah R says
I agree, the Hawaiians have a had a long history of not wanting tourists or liking them….. I love Hawaii too, and have been several times, but we will choose another tropical place to visit from now on as well. Bye bye Hawaii!
Cf says
When it rains in HI it pours. (Insult tourists and usa) And then comes the earthquakes (key leaders quit and leave the island) and tsunamis (unemployment dries up and starvation and other deadly situations commence)
Bev O says
It may sound dire to those outside of the islands, but it not as desperate as you suggest. I work in the tourism industry. We have been through the ups and downs many times. Hawaii always bounces back. For every person who does not want to come because they are upset with the decisions in place, there will be ten more that do. We get travelers from all over the world, not just the United States. When our Governor feels the time is right, it will be. aloha
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Bev.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Guy says
Do you honestly believe going from 30,000 tourists a day to about 400 a day is not dire? This is tragic. It will take years for us to recover and I feel for those who are out of work. This is the worse downturn in tourism Hawaii has ever experienced.
Cf says
Thats very optimistic. Oh don’t worry because its Hawaii people will come no matter how bad it is there. Yes put your faith in the leaders rather than take action. Its troubling when the dysfunction has been seen around the world. Inexperience and terrible pr messages isn’t what hawaii needs.
Gary K says
Beat of Hawaii – a very big THANKS and MAHALO for the information you keep providing us. My wife and I have been traveling from the mainland east coast to Hawaii for over thirty years, and love our relaxing time there. For the past 15 years, since retiring, 95+% of our time is spent on Kauai. We recently cancelled our 3 1/2 week stay at Kalanipu’u scheduled for August/Sept., and re-booked for late October. No issues from Marriott or Alaska airline on the changes.
I do wish Bev O. would tell me where I can buy the same rose colored glasses that she seems to be wearing. I have great concerns about the employment prospects for so many of the wonderful Hawaiian residents who work in tourism – just as I do for those who work in the mainland retail businesses that were so sadly looted. I’m afraid there will be a few very lean years before tourist volume will resemble 2019.
Once again – Mahalo and Aloha,
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Gary.
Thanks for your nice words and your other comments too!
Aloha.
Dave R says
No one is insulting tourists (they are rightfully objecting to selfish visitors who refuse to follow the rules) and since Hawai’i is part of the USA the notion that the state is somehow insulting the country of which it is a part is quite a stretch. BTW, if unemployment dried up, everyone would be employed. At any rate, the starvation idea is hardly based on reality.
Cf says
We will see what happens this year. I think there will be lasting negative effects. I also find Kims comments disturbing.
EB says
‘Follow the rules”
You mean staying quar antined for 14 days in your hotel room?
First off, how many are going for 2 weeks, most are 7 days or less.
Then once you get to paradise you are confined to your room?
On what planet is that considered a dream vacation?
If things don’t change quickly, Hawaii is doomed.
Mike says
It is nice with less cars and people but sooner or later the reality of the situation will be felt by all who make a living on the islands. Tourism is a necessity for the income it brings all. I hope someone takes over who will be able to balance the realities before people loose their livelihood. Make it easy for people to visit and the money will flow back to the island’s. 🌴
Dave R says
Educate yourself. At least 2 dozen other states have similar rules. HI isn’t an outdoor theme park “paradise.” It’s a small state with limited resources and a population that prefers health to sickness. The residents are abiding by the rules; why should you be privileged? Seems like a colonial attitude.