Kamaaina are
on Big Island’s
tourist radar

Its 45-day marketing plan
will also woo Californians

---

Associated Press

HILO >> The Big Island Visitors Bureau is going on the offensive to bolster the island's economy in the face of a downturn in tourism since the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

"We need to pull out all the stops to get visitors back to the Big Island," BIVB Executive Director George Applegate said Saturday.

The BIVB announced a 45-day marketing action plan concentrating on California and kamaaina.

Teams composed of bureau staff and participating travel industry members will fly to California to make direct sales calls on wholesalers and travel agents in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

An eight-page color destination insert is also planned for major California newspapers in San Diego, Orange County, San Jose and San Francisco.

In addition, there will be a one-week "Aloha California" media blitz, targeting newspaper and broadcast writers and editors in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area.

Meanwhile, the BIVB will place advertisements in the Honolulu media to showcase members and their kamaaina packages.

The Big Island Visitors Bureau said it will launch on Oct. 1 a new Web site where BIVB members can post information on their kamaaina packages.

The bureau will also provide welcome banners at the Hilo and Kona airports to thank visitors for coming to the Big Island.