In a concerted effort to stimulate tourism, Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in cruise travel, along with the Island of Hawai`i Visitors Bureau, today hosted a private event to celebrate the culture, history and people of Hawai`i.
The cruise line also announced a new, limited-time free airfare promotion from airports nationwide.
Focused on educating and reacquainting prospective visitors with the 50th state, the cruise line and visitors bureau welcomed government officials and top travel professionals from across the nation at the `Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line; Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawai`i Visitors Bureau; and State Representative Richard Onishi addressed the group, each emphasizing the tourism need and opportunity across the Hawaiian Islands.
Stuart discussed the company’s long-standing support for the destination and its history of inter- island sailings from Honolulu 52 weeks each year. He also announced the company’s most recent effort to encourage travel to Hawai`i – a new Free At Sea offer which provides free and reduced airfare from 37 airports nationwide as well as from Vancouver, British Columbia, beginning Oct. 4. Guests can view promotion details at www.ncl.com.
“Our Pride of America sailings continue to be one of the most coveted itineraries we offer,” said Stuart. “We remain dedicated to this captivating destination which is why we are inspiring travelers with this latest free air promotion. We want to encourage vacationers to take a closer look at Pride of America, Hawai`i and all this paradise state has to offer.”
Each year, Norwegian Cruise Line draws well over 111,000 travelers and adds close to $436 million to the state’s economy. The company has been sailing its exclusive Pride of America seven-day, inter-island itinerary for the past 14 years. With nearly 100 hours of port time, the weekly cruises provide significant support to local businesses.
Pride of America is the only U.S. flagged ship offering round-trip cruises from Honolulu.
“We appreciate the continued commitment of Norwegian Cruise Line to showcase the island of Hawai‘i to its guests, especially considering the challenges in travel demand that Kīlauea volcano’s latest lava flow created this past summer,” said Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau. “With most of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park having reopened, visitors can now enjoy all that our majestic island has to offer. The air quality is clean and beautiful for all to enjoy, new nature-based experiences are available, and the weather will continue to be warm and welcoming throughout the fall and winter months.”
In addition to today’s event in Hilo, Norwegian Cruise Line has invited over 50 travel professionals to sail Pride of America this week and participate in curated itineraries designed to showcase the grandeur and uniqueness of each island.
“We are so proud to continue supporting this incredible destination by investing in this effort,” said Camille Olivere, senior vice president of sales, Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our travel partners are very important to us as they will be instrumental in not only driving guests to Pride of America but additional tourism to this beautiful state.”
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