HTA Issues RFPs for Destination Marketing Management and Representation Services

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, is releasing a request for proposals (RFP) for external destination marketing management and representation services for each of the following major market areas: Oceania, Korea, China, Europe, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

The HTA is seeking a contractor in each market and will select the company determined to be the most qualified and capable of providing a full range of comprehensive marketing services for the Hawaiian Islands. Advertising placement is not the primary focus of the contract, and is only one aspect of services being solicited, which include:

• Developing and deploying a brand management plan that drive visitation and increase expenditures for the Hawaiian Islands;
• Integrating activities with travel trade and consumers through multi-faceted, traditional and non-traditional means;
• Developing and facilitating partnerships or other relationships with Hawaii’s visitor industry; and
• Promoting Hawaii as a meetings, conventions and incentives destination.

The new contracts under these RFPs will have a start date of Jan. 1, 2016 and will replace current contracts for Oceania, Korea, China, Europe and Taiwan. The Southeast Asia RFP represents a new contract and will have a start date of Nov. 1, 2015.

RFPs will be available for download at www.hawaiitourismauthority.org (click on the “Request for Proposals” link) from Aug. 3, 2015. Timelines and deadlines for each market are noted in the respective RFPs and may be amended as necessary. Respondents are encouraged to review information on the HTA website for additional background.

Inquiries for all RFPs should be directed to HTA’s procurement officer, Ronald Rodriguez, at 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, by telephone at [phone], or email at [e-mail].

To learn more about each market and the outlook for Hawaii’s visitor industry, check out the 2015 Hawaii Tourism Conference Aug. 27-28 at the Hawaii Convention Center. For more information and to register, visit the HTA’s conference website.