Tourism Cares Highlights Hawaiʻi with Launch of the Meaningful Travel Map

Friday, January 10, 2025

Tourism Cares, a prominent non-profit dedicated to promoting sustainability in the tourism industry, has partnered with The Hawaiian Islands to unveil the Meaningful Travel Map of Hawaiʻi, a cutting-edge digital platform that connects travel professionals with sustainable and community-focused experiences, tours, accommodations, and organizations across Hawaiʻi. This initiative highlights a shared dedication to fostering culturally enriching and environmentally conscious travel that prioritizes the well-being of local residents and ecosystems.

To mark the launch, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) and Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) organized the Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Familiarization (FAM) Tour on Maui from December 2 to 7, 2024. The event brought together travel industry leaders, including tour operators and advisors, to explore organizations on Maui committed to preserving Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage and biodiversity. Participants engaged in educational sessions addressing the challenges and opportunities of sustainable tourism in Hawaiʻi and the broader industry.

“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 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.”

“As a force for social, environmental, and economic change in tourism, Tourism Cares shares our vision of advancing meaningful sustainable practices,” said Aaron Salā, President and CEO of HVCB. “The launch of Tourism Cares’ Meaningful Travel Map of Hawaiʻi expands our ongoing efforts to connect the travel industry with local organizations doing vital work in our communities while elevating Hawaiʻi’s regenerative tourism efforts on a global stage.”

During the FAM tour, over 20 attendees visited four organizations featured on Hawaiʻi’s Meaningful Travel Map: Maui Pineapple Tour, Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate, Skyline Hawaiʻi, and Trilogy Excursions. These organizations embody the Hawaiian values of kuleana (responsibility) and mālama (care), showcasing the importance of mindful and responsible travel. The Map serves as a resource for building travel itineraries that directly support small, locally led organizations driving positive change in their communities.

“Tourism Cares is excited to collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and Hawai’i Visitors & Convention Bureau on our Meaningful Travel Program and help steward its 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 a way that is beneficial for locals and engaging for guests.”

Tourism Cares’ Meaningful Travel Program equips travel companies with tools to foster positive change and empower communities through tourism. Signature initiatives include the Meaningful Travel Summits, the Meaningful Travel Map, and the Meaningful Travel FAM Tour, which debuted in 2024. Hawaiʻi is the second destination to host a FAM tour, reinforcing the global reach of Tourism Cares’ initiatives. Relaunched in 2023, the Meaningful Travel Map now features over 30 member destinations and 400+ local impact organizations worldwide.

• Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Highlights Selected Groups For Regenerative Experiences.

• Hawaii Tourism Authority Sparks Economic Growth on Maui with Mākaukau Maui Campaign