In 2011, the state of Hawaii had 112,567 visitors from Korea and hopes to have increased that number to at least 146,111 visitors in 2012. However, experts have noticed a shift in the Korean population that has been visiting Hawaii and new advertising through using online videos, memes and other social media have been used to target a younger “hip” Korean clientel. General Manager for the Waikiki Beach Walk, Conchita Malaqui, explained, “Koreans have been coming to Hawaii for a long time, but we are seeing totally different visitors than before. Unlike their mothers and fathers and grandparents, conceptually in their minds, success is about being young, hip and cool. They are coming to Hawaii because they see it as an ūber-chic, cool place to visit. They are active and they like to shop.”
Senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Elizabeth Churchill agreed and added, “We are seeing more romance and honeymoon travelers from Korea,” Churchill said. “They tend to lean toward the Modern Honolulu because of the contemporary style of that resort. They like luxury.” The Hawaii Tourism Authority noted that honeymooners accounted for 47.5 percent of Korean visitors in 2011.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 11-4-2012, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
