The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) today introduced its new
GoHawaii.com
Web site, bringing the interactive sights, sounds and appeal
of the Hawaiian Islands Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s
Big Island - to online travelers. All that is missing is the fresh flower
lei and kiss on the cheek.“We did extensive market research to learn what travelers want and
combined that knowledge with the strategic direction of the Hawaii Tourism
Authority, and the input we received from our Island Chapter bureaus and
visitor industry partners,” said John Monahan, HVCB president and chief
executive officer.

“The result is the new GoHawaii.com, the most complete online guide to
Hawaii travel information that’s available on the Web.“Navigating HVCB’s new Web site is fast, efficient and easy to follow. Like
Hawaii, the look is bright, colorful, inviting, and utilizes ever-changing
images of people enjoying life in paradise.

Jay Talwar, HVCB vice president of marketing, oversaw the new Web site’s
development. “We did our homework, listened to our customers, and
redesigned the Web site by emphasizing the three areas that visitors most
love about Hawaii: our natural beauty, diversity of experiences, and
incomparable spirit of Aloha as seen through the people of Hawaii,” Talwar
said.

From the home page, Web visitors begin their online search by clicking one
of Hawaii’s six islands or one of six topics that generate the most
interest among travelers: Family Fun; Outdoor Adventures; Golf in
Paradise; Weddings & Honeymoons; Hawaii Arts Scene; and Culture & History.

The variety of online features and depth of information demonstrates how
thoroughly HVCB gathered market data, analyzed the results, and put them
into practice. Important information for making travel decisions is
offered about accommodations, attractions, activities, dining, retail, and
other services on each island, including photos, location details, maps,
and links to HVCB visitor industry partners.

There is even an up-to-the-minute Hawaii weather update—for each island
—as research revealed this was the most requested piece of information
by visitors.

Innovative online features unique to the Islands of Aloha are also
highlighted. Notably, Hawaiian music lovers can download the Web site’s
interactive jukebox and enjoy the contemporary and traditional songs of
Hawaii anytime on their home or office computer—for free.

Web visitors can also e-mail free interactive musical postcards showing a
lovely Hawaiian girl dancing hula on the beach and expressing, through
graceful hands and swaying hips, messages specially created by the sender.

Also available for free is a monthly e-newsletter with Hawaii travel
updates, as well as a free all-island travel planner guidebook with the
click of a mouse.

“GoHawaii.com allows people to interact with Hawaii from their homes and
offices as never before,” said Talwar. “It’s the most extensive resource
about travel to Hawaii and there’s still more to come as we introduce
additional online tools that highlight our island home.”

GoHawaii.com is also available in Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean,
Chinese, and Taiwanese.
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