A new reality TV series from NBC is set to shine a light on Maui’s recovery efforts as the Valley Isle marks the first anniversary of the devastating Lahaina fire. “1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club” will feature luxury travel advisors creating unique experiences on Maui, aiming to revitalize tourism and support the local economy.
This show seems to cater to a high-end audience, which makes its impact on Maui intriguing. We’ll reserve judgment for now on whether it will benefit the island or if it risks being disconnected from the realities faced by regular Maui visitors and the local Maui community.
“1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club” is a reality TV series developed by NBCUniversal’s LXTV Productions. The show focuses on luxury travel advisors from the Global Travel Collection who compete to create extraordinary travel experiences for celebrity clients. The series first aired in 2023 and is part of the “1st Look” franchise, known for exploring unique and exciting travel, lifestyle, and culinary experiences. The new season, which will highlight Maui’s attractions, will premiere on NBC starting September 28, 2024
Maui’s tourism industry is very eager to welcome tourists back and share their vibrant island and its breathtaking natural beauty.
The Role of “Extra Mile Club.”
Developed in partnership with NBCUniversal’s LXTV Productions, the series features top travel advisors competing to create luxurious experiences for its celebrity clients.
The first two episodes being filmed in Maui, will air on NBC starting September 28. By highlighting Maui as a premier travel destination, the series aims hopes it will encourage visitors to return and support local businesses and workers who rely on tourism for their livelihoods. Given the very high-end luxury and celebrity focus, we don’t know how relevant this may be for regular visitors.
Supporting Maui tourism industry.
The very high end-appearing showcase of Maui’s stunning beauty and culture, claims that it will reflect a broader effort to support the island’s economic recovery. The show’s sponsors, the Global Travel Collection, donated $10,000 to Maui United Way to aid wildfire-affected communities.
Will you be watching Maui on “1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club?”
As the series brings Maui’s beauty and resilience to global viewers, if nothing else, it will hopefully serve as a reminder of the island’s indomitable spirit and its readiness to welcome visitors once more. Will it help Maui to regain its position as a sought-after tropical travel destination, and help the island continue its journey toward recovery and renewal?
Instead of the extra mile club IMO it should had been called extra dollar club in which hotel prices, services, restaurants, and chef services will cost many extra dollars after this show starts. Prices will be so high that the show will be a turnoff.
There is no such thing as Reality TV. It’s scripted. All of it.
If anyone really thinks what they see is genuine and spontaneous, I have a bridge for sale!
I was diving on Palau just after Survivor was filmed there for the 3rd time. Locals said producers would shoot the same contest over and over until they got the shots (and results) they wanted.
I have zero confidence that producers on Maui will do anything to truly benefit the local communities or even the local economy. It will be all style and zero substance.
In Hawaii, there’s wonderment that tourists aren’t coming. Here’s why: It’s a cruel world out here. People hate you if you’re fat. If you’re Southern. If you’re West Coast. If you’re East Coast. If you’re their brother. If they work with you. They hate you if you’re a R, or a D, or a woman, or old. Or rich. Or poor. There’s a lot of hate, and “going to Maui” and staying there on your terms in a condo is healing. It’s a blessed chance to recover. But now – having people in Maui hate you, too! This is why people aren’t coming, frankly.
What a stupid show. Shows how out of touch NBC really is. Do you think the islands want just one more celebrity person out here? Do they really bring value to the islands? Why don’t they put a spotlight on the real issues and get real people.
I wonder if the new “Luxury Tourists” (TM) will enjoy the porta-potties at Iao State Park?
I see it now.. Prices just tripled. Beaches privately reserved for only the rich and famous TV Show episodes. IMO the middle class will probably never ever feel like they belong. Under dressed and under appreciated and most of all the service only cater to the rich. The luxury hotels and restaurants plus chef’s will prosper while the citizen’s will all suffer and become unnoticed. The governor sure had a plan to weed out the middle class and it might just weed out most of the local residents too. Not watching and not supporting this program.
How exactly is this elite level of tourism going to benefit the struggling small business owner on Maui? Someone who can afford the Kei Lani in Wailea or the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua is hardly likely to mix with the peasants and drop in to a local shop for a shave ice or coffee! The rich thrive on their privacy and I doubt you will ever see them shopping locally. The current high prices on Maui wouldn’t be a deterrent to them in the first place.
Clearly, somebody believes in “trickle down” economics.
This is very sad. Go ahead lure in the high end travelers .then sell them land to build high end housing for themselves while your local people struggle with basic needs of food and shelter. The visitors that come year after year they love the island and people. Too bad your government doesn’t realize this they only want deep pockets. Wish you all the best Maui
Love and Aloha
Will the episodes feature local protestors holding “tourist go home” and “stay away” signs?
How does this series appeal to those visitors, like we try to be, who actually want to engage with the island, its people, culture and aloha aina? It would seem that the “luxury” guests would be totally insulated and disassociated from the island.
This just sounds like a bad idea. So for the bargain price of $10k the shows sponsors can clear their minds of selling Maui to the rich, or those who have the funds, by showcasing and further attempting to drive tourism of Maui? Maui has already outpriced itself to it’s own residents. The cost of living is sky high. Residents can’t afford, or even find housing let alone pay the outrageous costs of basic food and necessities. But let’s go ahead and showcase an island as well as state begging to sustain itself and keep it’s natural resources by luring rich and otherwise visitors to take even more. It would have been better served adding a couple zeros and reminding the rest of the world of the difficult, time consuming struggle of rebuilding to keep what was once yours.
Follow up, as I realize I cannot post a link – ABC News has posted “Maui Rising” regarding recovery of Lahaina. You can search or find on YouTube
Do you guys think that this will affect the perception of Maui as an accessible destination for all travelers. I think not.
The show could be a great opportunity to educate tourists about supporting local businesses. Let’s see how they approach it.
Stupid question: How can luxury tourism contribute to the recovery?
Have to winder if this show will further discourage budget-conscious travelers like us? After dozens of trips over a span of decades, we are profoundly discouraged. We still want to return to Maui.
I hope the show highlights the real Maui and not just the glitzy side. We need visitors who appreciate and respect our culture.
It’s exciting to see Maui getting some spotlight on a big platform like NBC. But will this luxe focus actually help our local communities, or just cater to high-end tourists?