HTA’s legislative briefing revealed a reopened CEO search, rejected cost claims on the $108.67 million Convention Center roof, and expiring HVCB contracts, hinting at bigger changes to Hawaiʻi’s tourism marketing.
A Little LinkedIn Snooping and a Well-Deserved Promotion
Michael Baier is named general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, and Gordon “Kanani” Aken is promoted to general manager at Aulani, adding seasoned leadership at two major Hawaiʻi resorts.
Hawaiʻi Land Shuffle: One Beach Park Coming Back, Another Resort Parcel Sold
Hawaiʻi County reaches a tentative $1.46 million deal for Punaluʻu’s beach park as Kamehameha Schools sells the land under Kona Village, bringing its resort land sales to about $1.15 billion in just over a year.
Two New Hilton-Branded Resorts Open in Hawaiʻi. Same Name, Different Companies.
Ka Haku, a Hilton Club, opens in Waikīkī and Hale Hōkūala Kauaʻi opens as a Curio Collection by Hilton, two new Hilton-branded resorts run by two separate public companies, Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations.
Amoma Is Dead. Long Live Amoma
An Operto report flags 1.1 million questionable hotel ads in 31 days as the FTC weighs action against Priceline, raising questions about why distributors don’t police where hotel inventory ends up.
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Another Day, Another Hotel Tech Roll-Up
Duetto’s acquisition of Flyr Hospitality adds pricing technology used by 2,300 hotels, the latest in a wave of hotel tech consolidation whose promised benefits for operators have yet to show up.
Full Disclosure: I Had a Hand in This One
Castle Resorts rebuilt its website for 20 properties in under four months for low five figures, using AI throughout, with early results showing revenue per session up 41%.
Booking Holdings Doubling Down With Two AI Companies
Booking Holdings backs AI assistant Vayo with up to $100 million weeks after launching Lola, and Vayo’s automatic price monitoring could trigger cancel-and-rebook cycles for hotels.
Sausage Making, $1.15B in ʻĀina, and Zombie OTAs
HTA’s CEO search and Convention Center roof, Kamehameha Schools’ resort land sales, predatory OTA ads, and Booking’s two new AI travel agents.
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From Hero to Huh?
The HTA Tourism Conference featured controversial speaker selections and unexpected session cancellations amid shifting logistics, raising questions about destination leadership and strategic alignment for Hawaiʻi’s tourism future.
