Oahu: The Ultimate Family Fling

Dec 18, 2011

Based on travel trends for 2011, it’s clear what families want from a vacation destination these days: authentic experiences as well as adventurous activities. According to the annual survey of Virtuoso’s 6,000 member travel advisors, they are also seeking out unique opportunities to reconnect with loved ones, and they are expecting value for their money. With a savvy travel agent on their side, families can find all of that and more on Oahu.

A group of Oahu Master Specialists (OMS) — travel agents who have been certified as experts in Oahu travel — agree that the island is more than keeping pace with the desires of multigenerational travelers as it provides accommodations and adventures to clans of different ages, abilities and interests. The recent opening of Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Ko Olina, has cemented the island’s status as a family-friendly getaway, and it has prompted other Oahu resorts to step up their children’s programs or create new ones, noted Marilyn Clark of Lighthouse Travel in Huntington Beach, Calif.

“Some Oahu resorts are now including kids-eat-free programs, a second room at a lower rate and other promotions,” said Clark. “We’re also seeing tour operators run kids-fly-free offers and more specials geared to families.”

The Virtuoso survey added that increasing numbers of travelers are bringing infants and toddlers on their trips. For them, Oahu is an equally great option, said Stacey Alford, director of travel industry sales at the Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB).

“Visitors traveling with young children can load up on family fun at numerous Oahu attractions,” said Alford. “Most of the island’s attractions are baby-friendly including the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, Kapiolani Park and the Children’s Discovery Center.”

Authentic Experiences and Adventures
The key to creating the perfect Oahu family trip is to think outside the box, said Christine Whitaker of Discover Your World Travel in Tumwater, Wash.

“I like to give my clients tips about the island that aren’t necessarily about activities to book,” said Whitaker. “There is an amazing culture to explore on Oahu and many easy ways to discover it. A trip to Hawaii is a great way for a family to encounter new foods, distinctive traditions and flora and fauna that are unique to the islands.”

To help families reconnect with each other while creating lifelong memories on their vacation, agents should bone up on all of the one-of-a-kind outings awaiting visitors on Oahu, both on and off the beaten path. Families can watch a live fish auction as chefs from Oahu restaurants bid on the day’s fresh catch and they can help to protect the island’s environment by joining an eco-tour. They can catch a movie while sitting on the sand on Waikiki Beach at sunset, hike to the top of Diamond Head, visit the USS Arizona Memorial and learn to dance the hula together.

When adventure travel is a priority for families, Alford encourages agents to pitch Oahu’s unique “town and country” appeal, a phrase OVB uses to describe its abundance of urban and rural attributes. Around the island, families can enjoy energizing pastimes such as surfing, stand-up paddling, hiking, snorkeling, horseback riding and glider rides, as well as big-city entertainment and shopping.

“With its thriving metropolitan offerings and its breathtaking natural scenery, Oahu presents a truly diverse range of activities with something to please every age and member of the family,” said Alford.

The Right Accommodations for One and All
Staycations are on their way out, according to surveys. Families are ready to hit the road again, but they are still searching for value, something Oahu has in spades. Its varied accommodations give clients the most for their money while touting extras such as free breakfast and the fifth night free.

The definition of a traveling family has morphed — it is no longer defined simply as two parents and two kids. Now, its a combination of parents, relatives, friends and friends of friends. Part of Oahu’s success as a family destination lies in its ability to offer flexible lodging arrangements that can satisfy all needs. Visitors can opt for adjoining hotel rooms, suites, condominium hotels and more.

When the numbers swell and the gang is traveling for a major event, Alford has this response — on Oahu, the more the merrier.

“With Oahu’s wide array of venues, families can find the perfect place to gather for special occasions such as reunions or weddings,” said Alford.

Trends show technology playing a growing role in family travel, whether it helps people keep in touch while on the road, provides destination-specific travel apps or makes the guestroom as user-friendly as possible. From wireless Internet access and docking stations in accommodations to up-to-the-minute advice from OVB’s Twitter and Facebook pages, Oahu offers a variety of ways to help clients make the most of their time on the island and share their experiences with others around the world.

Tools to Help Agents Seal the Deal
In other news from the Virtuoso survey, families consider the travel agent to be their most influential source of information as they make their vacation decisions. That’s a major call to action for agents, who have plenty of tools at their fingertips to keep as current as possible with Oahu.

The OMS interviewed for this story offer a wealth of suggestions for booking family travel. They believe agents must stay up-to-date with Oahu by going on fams and using OVB’s online tools. Agents should make the island sound fun and engaging while thoughtfully matching activities with clients. They need to provide social media sites for younger travelers; keep up with weekly email blasts from resorts; and check with consortia for limited-time-only promotions on the island.

Lu Maggiora, of Vacation Discounters/Luxury Latitudes in San Ramon, Calif., advises agents to direct their clients to Oahu’s official travel site. There, families can peruse sample itineraries, descriptions of the various regions of the island and events that are going on during their proposed travel dates.

“Once their travel is booked, I like to have a welcome guidebook sent to them on my behalf from the travel trade link on the same website,” said Maggiora. “If agents belong to a consortium that has special partnerships with some of the resorts, they often offer a perk that may be available only through your agency. For dining, I include a map of Oahu with their travel documents and a list of family-friendly restaurant suggestions.”

Bob Spencer of Travel ‘N Style in Bel Air, Md., said agents should become familiar with wholesalers who specialize in Oahu, and then speak to one of their representatives and utilize their websites so that they can customize their client’s itinerary.

“For families, Oahu has such diversity and something unique for everyone, from the very young to those getting married, honeymooners, the elderly and travelers with disabilities,” said Spencer, who recently got married on the island himself. “Oahu shows its visitors the true meaning of aloha and the spirituality and traditions of the Hawaiian people. It isn’t just luaus and hula — it is a culture and a way of life.”