KAPA‘A — Earlier this month, the Royal Coconut Coast Association launched its itinerary day planner, which helps travelers find activities, restaurants, lodging and shopping choices for each day of their stay.
Margy Parker, marketing coordinator for RCCA, said the idea germinated in discussions with the graphic- and web-design company, Delicious Design.
“While visitor destinations or the cruise industry provide selections of things to do, we hadn’t yet seen an itinerary day planner that could allow a person to drop choices into a day, see the hours calculated, add dining and shopping choices and include the choice of the accommodation,” Parker said.
“Perhaps there is something similar in other mainland destinations, though we hadn’t yet found one.”
Parker said Delicious Design is adept at the complex technology necessary to create this technology.
“In using the planner, someone staying on the Eastside, for example, wants to plan a day that includes a morning yoga class followed by a kayaking trip and waterfall hike up the Wailua River, then time at the beach intersected with bakery, deli and dining-out choices,” can do so using the planner, Parker said. “The next day, it might be an interior hike, more beach time, and wandering through some of Kapa‘a and Wailua’s shops and boutiques — another full day. The following day (could be) renting a bike and exploring Ke Ala Hele Makalae, (which) would take at least two hours. Add a trip up to the Fern Grotto, a self-guided tour at the tropical gardens, and more beach time.
“There are another six hours. It doesn’t take long to see how quickly the days fill up. Then, these travelers may see that they would want to stay longer,” Parker said.
Parker says there are benefits of this new technology for both visitors and residents.
“What’s great about it is the ability to share, change, add days, take away days and print. Couples, families and friends can settle on their Kaua‘i vacation plans before they arrive, and book their activities and restaurant choices,” Parker said. “Residents can share with their visiting family and friends prior to arrival, and vice versa. Kama‘aina from off-island, who may have a short trip, can have their plans all set before arrival.”
One Kaua‘i business owner is very fond of the new itinerary day planner.
“I found it easy and intuitive to use, so much so that I placed it on our social-media channels so visitors can use this nifty and handy tool to seamlessly plan out their itinerary,” said Micco Godinez, co-owner of Kayak Kauai.
Parker shares the main purpose of the itinerary day planner from a visitor-industry standpoint. “The planner serves as a tool to foster an increased length of stay,” Parker said. “From the perspective of RCCA’s many members, it’s a way to increase exposure and engagement. From an overall view, it will help bolster the eventual return to a more-normal business level.
“From a technology perspective, I think that the uniqueness of the itinerary day planner (nothing like it among Hawai‘i’s destinations), adds to the list of Kaua‘i’s innovative advancements among many sectors,” Parker said.
Parker said RCCA recommended the project as part of their Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act grant proposal.
“This project was included in our CARES grant application when we submitted our plan in June,” Parker said. “We waited until most businesses opened before forging ahead. Fortunately, we have been able to complete the project before Dec. 31, when all grant allocations need to be spent. Over the next six weeks, we will also be launching an online campaign to bring focus on the itinerary day planner.
“For the future, we’ll rely on our members’ investment through dues, RCCA’s only source of funding. We will continue to rely on dues to maintain awareness of the Royal Coconut Coast as an attractive choice for Hawai‘i-bound travelers,” Parker said.
RCCA said there are 14 Eastside hotels and condominium resorts featured on this planner, with lots of things to do, numerous restaurants, beach parks and hiking trails, plus unique boutiques and shops. There are easy-to-use options to add or takeaway days depending upon length of stay.
More info: royalcoconutcoast.com/vacation-day-planner/.
