Hawaii Hospitality - January/February 2014 - (Page 3)

TALK STORYwith George Szigeti Aloha Kakou, As we start 2014, there's much for us to appreciate in the record-setting tourism economy that Hawaii has enjoyed these past two years. It's a testament to the combined efforts of our visitor industry to keep Hawaii's image properly positioned, and to keep our accommodations, service levels, infrastructure, and activities and attractions competitive on the world stage. Waikiki, the crown jewel of Hawaii tourism, will begin undergoing considerable modifications this year with the redevelopment of International Market Place, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani hotel and the construction of The RitzCarlton Residences Waikiki Beach. Despite the short-term disruption that these projects may cause in terms of roomcompression and construction activity, their completion will add significant luster to Waikiki and contribute greatly to keeping it at the forefront of global tourism. It's encouraging to see that investors and owners are capitalizing upon tourism's good fortunes and low interest rates to invest in keeping our hotel offerings competitive. Leading the way is the new ANdAZ Maui at Wailea hotel, built on the site of the former Renaissance hotel. Many other properties have ambitious modernization programs underway, including Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Turtle Bay Resort, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Four Seasons' The Lodge at Koele and Manele Bay, and many others. Overall, it's estimated that current and recent projects have added up to a $3 billion investment in our hotel plant. It's good for the destination: It helps keep our hotels full, our workers employed and paid well, our economy prosperous and our tax income healthy. It's also good news for Hawaii's construction industry. Another big change in 2014 will be the advent of AEG Facilities as managers of the Hawaii Convention Center under a new five-year contract awarded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Based in Los Angeles, AEG will work with the HTA's Meet Hawaii team to market the convention center and Hawaii as a business destination-especially in the AsiaPacific region, where it manages convention centers in Brisbane, Cairns and Darwin in Australia and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. AEG also manages convention centers in the Middle East, in Oman and Qatar, as well as arenas, stadiums and other facilities around the world, including the Staples Center in Los Angeles. We welcome AEG to our tourism ohana and look forward to working with them in the years ahead. As we begin a new year, promising as it looks at this moment, we know from experience that good times roll in and out like the tide in Waikiki. Past business cycles remind us of the need for business and government to reinvest in each other during these days of prosperity while keeping an eye on the possibility of less favorable conditions to come. In closing, mahalo to our members for your support. We wish all of you continued success in 2014. George D. Szigeti is president & CEO of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA). www.hawaiihospitalityonline.com 3 http://www.hawaiihospitalityonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hawaii Hospitality - January/February 2014

Talk Story with George Szigeti
Maui Ho‘okipa No Ka Oi
Hawaii’s Food & Beverage Superstars
All Systems Go!
Featured Department: Engineering
New Restaurants
Clean Talk with Rose
News Briefs
Association News
Marketplace

Hawaii Hospitality - January/February 2014