Hawai'i's Big Island Conference Slated for October 5
This one day event at the Mauna Lani Resort will further the spa industry's presence and performance
HONOLULU, HI, August 4, 2006. An important travel industry conference exploring the further development of health and wellness tourism on Hawai`i's Big Island will be held at the Mauna Lani Resort on Thursday, October 5, 2006. The one-day conference will take place in the Hale Hoaloha Pavilion from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event is being sponsored by the County of Hawai`i and the Big Island Visitors Bureau, with support from Five Mountains Hawai`i, Mauna Lani Resort and the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association.
This landmark event will bring together key players in the health, wellness and travel fields to further define, shape and promote wellness tourism on the Island of Hawai`i. The emerging field of wellness travel is one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry today and includes spa vacations, health retreats, spiritual and educational adventures. Travel and hospitality professionals, health and wellness practitioners, managers of spas, retreats, bed and breakfasts and government officials are all encouraged to attend.
Over a dozen speakers and panelists including local wellness travel operators, cultural practitioners and tourism experts will be on hand. The topics of best practice, standards and guidelines, marketing, long term strategies and the formation of a Hawai`i Island Association of Wellness Travel will be discussed.
Jim Dannemiller of SMS Research, Honolulu will share findings from a recent Hawai`i Tourism Authority study on health and wellness travel. Kristin McGrath, senior director of sales and marketing for the Big Island Visitors Bureau, will present plans for the bureau's promotion of wellness and spa travel. Travel Agent and Attorney Susan Tanzman of Martin's Travel in Los Angeles, Calif., voted "#1 Travel Agent of the Year" by the American Society of Travel Agents, will cover operational guidelines and standards for wellness travel vacations, packages and retreats.
All those interested in advancing wellness travel on the Hawai`i's Big Island are encouraged to attend and bring their promotional materials. Tables will be provided for networking and the exchange of brochures and business cards. A conference registration fee of $55 includes conference, lunch, refreshments and a tour of the award-winning Mauna Lani Spa. To register contact Five Mountains Hawai`i at (808) 887-1282 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). The registration deadline is September 25th.
A limited number of scholarships are being offered to Native Hawaiians courtesy of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association. Scholarship applications are available through Five Mountains Hawai`i, (808) 887-1282.
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