FOUR SEASONS RESORT MAUI AT WAILEA WELCOMES THE RETURN OF TRAVELLERS

The United States is supersized, from its sprawling big cities to its epic natural splendors. And its citizens? When it comes to friendliness and national pride, we can be a little “extra” too.

Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand, Journese, have launched a Maui Strong Vacation Sale and travel advisor incentive in an effort to encourage Maui vacation bookings for 2023 and 2024 as the island seeks to recover from devastating wildfires.The sale features exclusive offers, including up to 40 percent off hotel room rates, free nights, food and beverage credits and other perks at 15 participating hotels on Maui. Properties include Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui; Kapalua Villas Maui; Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort; Hotel Wailea, Relais & Chateaux; and Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui.New bookings made through December 31, 2023, for travel through December 31, 2024, are eligible.The travel advisor achieving the highest qualifying sales to Maui will earn a future travel credit of $1,000 along with 5,000 bonus TRIP Points to apply toward their personal travel. Meanwhile, the second, third and fourth-highest-selling travel advisors will receive future travel credit prizes of $500, $250 and $100, respectively.

A burger and fries by the beach in San Diego, California. (Photo Credit: sophia_ross/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus)

In 2022, Adam and Kirsty Golder's UK-based aviation company, G6 Aviation, received an odd request. A potential customer wanted to know how much it would cost to charter a jet from London to the US for 10 people — and 10 dogs. 

The lead story this morning on one of Oahu’s most trusted news sources, Civil Beat, is about the campaign Hawaii’s tourism executives are leading to convince residents that the return of visitors is imperative for Maui’s recovery.

We’ve known for some time now that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th.

As TPG has previously reported, and you likely know all too well, the Maui wildfires caused significant damage to Lahaina, with more than 2,400 residences destroyed and far too many lives lost. Recovery efforts are still ongoing. And now, the community must deal with the reality of economic recovery while also rebuilding homes and businesses and managing the emotional toll.

Southwest is significantly discounting flights across the country, slashing prices in half for fall and winter travel. 

It’s been ten days since Hawaii’s governor announced that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th, but the debate seems to just be heating up now.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, September 15. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Maui’s tourism recovery has been moving at a sluggish pace since the wildfires devastated the island’s western region in early August. One factor: Tourists have been slow to return out of sensitivity to locals.

In theory (according to hotels, anyway), resort fees should help hotel guests save money. Rather than charging individually for amenities like pool towels, beach chairs and entertainment, some hotels group these fees into one fee that is added to your room rate.