Download Certification One: An Introduction to Hawaii Chapter Six: Agents

Certification One: An Introduction to Hawaii
Chapter Six: Agents.GoHawaii.com
Welcome to the final chapter of Certification #1 in the Hawai‘i Destination
Specialist Program.
In this chapter, we will cover all there is to know about the Travel Agent Resource
Center – what is available, where you can find it and even how it can help you sell!
So let’s keep going!
Welcome to Agents.GoHawaii.com. This is the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention
Bureau’s new and improved portal designed exclusively for travel professionals.
It’s a one-stop resource center, where you will find a wealth of destination
information, travel tips, sales and marketing tools, and cultural insights – basically,
everything you need to develop your expertise on the Hawaiian Islands and make
the most of this rewarding destination specialty.
Let’s take a look at what the site has to offer you.
Our Islands. This section enables you to select an island and be taken to the
landing pages of the HVCB island chapters for Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui Nui (Maui,
Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i) and Hawai‘i Island. Here you will find a comprehensive
travel guide to just about any aspect of each island. You’ll find details on
sightseeing attractions, accommodations, dining, activities, festivals, practical
travel tips, weather, cultural background and much more. A Language Audio
Dictionary, suggested itineraries and compelling stories of Hawai‘i video vignettes
featuring local people are also part of this amazing resource.
Sales Tools. This section gives you access to practical sales and marketing tools
that you can use to promote the Hawaiian Islands to your clients, plus resources
that will increase your understanding of what it takes to sell the destination. You’ll
find an archive of e-newsletters providing destination and product updates, and a
new ePostcard Tool in the For Your Clients section of the site, that you can use for
effective communication and marketing to current and potential Hawai‘i clients.
And this is where you can download a range of attractive posters, flyer templates
and island itinerary maps.
This section links to another valuable feature, the Ma‘ema‘e Hawaiian Cultural
Tool Kit. This resource will deepen your understanding of Hawai‘i’s culturally
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sensitive approach to tourism promotion, and enable you to sell the islands in an
authentic and meaningful way. Contained within the tool kit is the Hawaiian
Cultural Initiative document, which gives background on the Hawaiian Islands’
tourism objectives, including providing visitors with a true sense of place that
honors the islands’ unique heritage. You will also find tools for proper usage of the
Hawaiian language and guidelines for using Hawai‘i images in promotional efforts,
as well as details on Hawaiian Cultural Experiences, and other festivals and
activities. In addition, the tool kit contains a Style & Resource Guide, Hawai‘i vs.
World History Timeline, island maps and other useful information.
Also in the Sales Tools section are downloadable guides especially geared toward
travel professionals, including the Hawai‘i Travel Professional Guide, Insider’s
Guide to Hawai‘i and a Wholesaler List. Here you will find directories of the
island partners who can assist you in planning and booking wonderful Hawaiian
Island experiences for your clients.
If you need additional resources, the Sales Tools section will provide you with a
material order form that can be sorted by island or by collateral type. You can
order a variety of statewide and individual island materials, including brochures,
maps and DVDs.
Education. This section is where you can access the full array of Online Training
programs. Once you are finished with Certification One, return here to become a
Hawaiian Islands’ destination specialist on all the islands, and further your
destination knowledge by earning your specialist designations on the individual
islands. You can also access the Live Workshop Test Center here. In addition,
you’ll find a Resource Library with key takeaways from the training, suggested
island itineraries and My Progress, an area dedicated to your personal certification
journey.
For Your Clients. This section includes important items that you can offer your
clients. Not only will these enhance their travel experiences, but also they will win
you raves for customer service and thoughtfulness. They include the E Komo Mai
(Welcome) Guidebooks, an exclusive benefit for agents who have earned their
Hawai‘i Destination Specialist certification, which you can email to your clients
prior to trip departures. These guidebooks include a personalized welcome
message from you. To enhance your personal brand and the customization of this
communication, the email content references your name, agency and client name;
your client’s itinerary and map; and visitor information, including weather, dress
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code and a language guide. And your clients can access this tool on their tablets
and smart phones for up-to-the-minute information on activities and events while
in destination.
This section also gives you access to ePostcards and order forms for Travel
Planning Materials.
Explore Hawai‘i Guide. This interactive tool allows you to navigate island maps
and content. You can select, click and view quick facts, tips, testimonials, videos
and more.
FAM Organizer. This section provides information on ways for you to experience
the Hawaiian Islands firsthand.
Find a Travel Specialist. This feature, which is displayed on the HVCB consumer
website (www.GoHawaii.com), is an exclusive benefit for certified Hawai‘i (and
individual island) destination specialists. Consumers can enter various criteria,
such as agency location or island specialty, to find a certified agent (hopefully it
will be you if you complete the required certifications!) who can serve their travel
needs. We recognize the time you have dedicated to learning about our islands, and
we value and recognize your ability to serve the prospective Hawaiian Islands
visitor!
Another HVCB Resource: Meetings & Incentives
Are you looking to include meetings and/or incentive travel in your Hawai‘i
business mix? If so, you’ll find useful resources at MeetHawaii.com, the HVCB’s
website for meeting professionals. The website offers information on hotels,
venues, attractions, and a host of products and service providers, including
speakers and presenters.
Now that we’ve completed the final chapter in Certification Number 1, let’s take a
few moments to review some key takeaways.
Key Takeaway #1 – The Our Islands section of the site is a great place to find
anything island-specific and will offer you the chance to connect directly with the
individual island CVBs.
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Key Takeaway #2 – Sales Tools is a great section on the site that will give you the
chance to learn even more about the Hawaiian Islands. It has posters, flyers,
itineraries, the Hawaiian Culture Tool Kit and so much more!
Key Takeaway #3 – Be sure to complete all of your certifications in the Education
section so that you can become a Hawai‘i Specialist and take advantage of valuable
business-building benefits!
Key Takeaway #4 – Want another way to personalize the experience for your
clients? Check out the possibilities in For Your Clients. Here, you can create a
customized message and send clients access to an online guidebook that they can
easily take along with them on their trip!
Key Takeaway #5 – The Resource Library is your one-stop shop for all trainingrelated materials. Be sure to review all the available resources for you.
Congratulations! You have just completed Certification Number 1 of the Hawaii
Specialist Training Program. It is now time for the final exam. Good luck!
Quizzes are available on the website, under the video player after viewing the
chapter material. As you have already read through the material, you can fast
forward the video to go straight to the quiz: http://screencast.com/t/eEAu8RsX.
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