Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map Heads to Hawai’i

Tourism Cares has partnered with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) to bring its Meaningful Travel Map to the island destination, providing travel advisors with a powerful digital tool to connect clients with sustainable, community-driven experiences, tours, accommodations, and organizations.

The Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Map includes more than 30 member destinations and over 400 local impact organizations from around the world.

The partners share a commitment to fostering sustainable and culturally enriching travel experiences across the Hawaiian Islands, with the goal of creating a tourism model that prioritizes local residents and ensures that the impacts of tourism benefit Hawaiʻi’s people and ecosystems.

“Tourism Cares is excited to collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau on our Meaningful Travel Program and help steward the destination in a more impactful and responsible way,” said Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares.

“We know that the travel industry continues to face challenges, from global climate change and biodiversity loss to cultural degradation and economic disparities. By launching the Meaningful Travel Map of Hawaiʻi, we hope the industry will select more partners that are making positive impacts and addressing these issues in ways that benefit locals and engage guests.”

To kick off the new partnership, the HTA and Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB) hosted a Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Familiarization Tour on Maui from Dec. 2-7, 2024. The trip was part of ongoing efforts to promote mindful travel to the island, which suffered extensive human losses and property damage from wildfires in 2023.

More than 20 travel industry leaders, including tour operators and advisors, visited Maui organizations dedicated to preserving Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage and vast biodiversity. Through educational opportunities throughout the tour, attendees learned more about the pressing issues surrounding sustainable tourism.

“At the core of our mālama Hawaiʻi message is an invitation to visitors who care, those who seek meaningful experiences during their time in the Hawaiian Islands,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO.

“We support Tourism Cares’ work to expand the Meaningful Travel Map Program to include Hawaiʻi. As the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority advances a vision of regenerative tourism in the islands, we’re excited to see more ways for visitors to connect with enriching opportunities that uplift our communities and environment.”

Hawaiʻi’s Meaningful Travel Map will help advisors build more responsible travel itineraries by connecting them with small, locally led tourism organizations that are making a positive impact within their communities.