LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i was named Hawai‘i’s Best Island for the second year in a row by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, according to a Thursday Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau press release. The island also ranked second on the magazine’s list
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i was named Hawai‘i’s Best Island for the second year in a row by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, according to a Thursday Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau press release.
The island also ranked second on the magazine’s list of World’s Best Islands for 2010, trailing only the Galapagos Islands.
This is a “tremendous opportunity” from a “public-relations standpoint,” said KVB Executive Director Sue Kanoho.
“It can often be the nudge that some people may need to book Kaua‘i, and is a way for people to know that others feel Kaua‘i is a great destination,” she said.
The award is based on reader surveys rating islands on five qualities that included activities and sights, natural attractions, restaurants and food, and people, the release states.
“These awards often help boost the morale of those who work so hard day-in and day-out, to know that their efforts are well-received by our visitors,” Kanoho said. “It’s a nice reminder that the wonderful marketing efforts that we all work together on are making a difference for our island.”
On the other hand, Gov. Linda Lingle’s recent veto of House Bill 444 has spurred many civil-rights groups to consider boycotting Hawai‘i as a vacation destiny, according to the Associated Press.
When asked if Lingle’s vote against civil unions would deter many visitors from the island, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau President and Chief Executive Officer John Monahan said “it is too soon to tell.
“At this time, we are monitoring and assessing the situation,” said Monahan, to whom all media inquiries regarding civil unions and tourism were directed.
Since this is the second year Kaua‘i received the nod by Travel + Leisure as the No. 1 Hawaiian island, Kanoho was asked whether it made any impact on 2009 visitor arrivals.
“It does help, and can be that ‘seal of approval’ for some people who follow awards and rankings,” she said.
The start of 2009 saw visitor arrivals slip around 26 percent in January and almost 20 percent in February compared to 2008, according to statistics from Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. By November 2009, they were down only around 2 percent, and December off some 7 percent.
But even though Kaua‘i is a favorite among Travel + Leisure readers, it is still “quite expensive” to get to, “especially in relation to the other islands,” according to California visitor Mark Diggs.
With a family of five, “the rise in airfare is a huge deterrent,” he said. “It is about an extra $750 to $1,000 depending on the time of year” in comparison to other islands, said Diggs.
“That has been why my family hasn’t been back in two years,” Diggs said. “The cost of airline tickets to Kaua‘i has steadily risen.”
In addition, “incentives or deals aren’t readily available” on the island, he said, “although I find them for some of the other islands.”
Nonetheless, “Travel + Leisure is one of the world’s most-highly-regarded and trusted sources of travel information,” which is bound to attract more attention to the island, Kanoho said.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
