During our recent coverage of the third annual Hawaii Travel Exchange, Travel Agent spoke to an array of wholesalers on the trade floor to gather information on some unusual offerings agents can book for thrill-seekers, romantics or clients looking for some unique family fun.
For the Thrill-Seeker
Your clients may have flown on a helicopter before and they may have gone on canopy tours already, but tell them about an exclusive offering that combines the two.
KapohoKine Adventures offers a unique tour that includes eight ziplines and a roundtrip helicopter ride. During this tour, clients will be soaring over the Kilauea Volcano and ziplining over a tropical jungle and multiple waterfalls. This is followed by a return flight to Kona that presents a bird’s view of scenic waterfalls and tropical rain forests. Clients start by boarding the company’s air-conditioned aircraft and heading out toward the active volcano. Tropical rain forest gives way to stark black lava as they approach the volcano before circling back and heading north past Hilo. After landing at the Hilo Airport, clients will enjoy a scenic drive to the company’s zipline. During this excursion, clients will soar more than 160 feet above the waterfalls. KapohoKine Adventures’ certified staff will guide clients over one of the longest lines on Hawaii Island.
After their adventure, clients can indulge in a picnic lunch before their return flight to Kona. Light snacks and water are provided throughout the tour, which starts at $694 plus tax. Agents should note that clients mustn’t have any heart, neck or back problems or be pregnant; must weigh at least 60 pounds and less than 260 pounds; must be able to lift 15 pounds; and must be able to walk up stairs and over uneven terrain. Also, clients should not go scuba diving within 24 hours.
Agents should contact Owner Gary Marrow ([email protected], 808-964-1000) for details on the tours.
For Family Fun
How’s ice-skating in Hawaii for unusual? OK, so maybe it’s not exactly ice-skating, but The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui is offering the closest experience to actual skating on ice in Hawaii.
A first among Hawaii resorts, The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui presents a timeless holiday tradition with a hybrid ice-rink for skating in the tropics. Open to resort guests and non-resort guests, it costs $15 to rent skates for an hour. It is available now through January 28 and will be open every year after for the holidays. The resort’s Ocean Lawn is transformed into a holiday escape complete with a 1,000-square-foot hybrid ice-skating rink with impressive views of the Pacific and possibly some frolicking humpback whales. Agents should note that whale-watching season usually stretches from about December to March.
Clients who book the Skate & Stay room package with holiday rates starting from $359 per room per night for a studio premium villa with minimum three nights’ stay will enjoy an hour’s skate rental for two people as well as $50 dining credit at one of three restaurants, including the award-winning Pulehu, an Italian Grill.
Ideal for family and company gatherings, special event rates include a group breakfast, lunch or dinner with menu choices. Private parties for two hours inclusive of skates can be reserved with rates beginning at $1,500.
Agents should reach out to Thom Florin ([email protected], 808-662-2630), events manager, for any queries.
For Clients Tying the Knot
Travel Agent recently sat down with Jana Lavell, regional sales manager for MLT Vacations, and learned of a special wedding offering by the Minnesota-based tour operator. The company’s Destination Weddings program, which started about two years ago, provides clients the opportunity to get married in select, off-resort sites. MLT offers five sites on Oahu and four sites on Maui, all at locations that are outside of the clients’ resort.
The most popular of the offerings, Lavell says, is a floating lagoon wedding site on Oahu. The Floating Lagoon Chapel Wedding includes assistance obtaining a marriage license; a Christian or nondenominational ceremony; a roundtrip limo service to/from Waikiki hotel and chapel for up to six people; professional photography coverage for one hour with a CD and online hosting; sparkling cider or champagne toast for the couple with keepsake flutes; Hawaiian orchid leis and more. Agents should contact MLT’s Specialty Sales Desk at 866-758-2936.