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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
Hawaii beats Bermuda,
others, for top
honeymoon spotHAWAII has won its eighth annual top spot in Modern Bride magazine's "World's Best Honeymoons" survey. Jamaica is second, followed by Mexico, Tahiti, St. Lucia in the Caribbean, Italy, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, Las Vegas and rounding out the top 10, Bermuda.
The list and accompanying feature stories are in the August/September issue, hitting newsstands June 15.
Modern Bride surveyed 3,000 travel agents, "who ranked good value, cruise lines, sports/adventure, over-the-top luxury and resorts with spas as the main trends honeymooners seek," according to a statement.
There may be more to it, said Jay Talwar, vice president of marketing for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
"The research we've done indicates the people of Hawaii are really a big difference-maker," he said. Setting us apart are not just "the staffs at our unbelievable resorts," but every day, nonindustry people, Talwar said.
"This result doesn't show that, but I've got to believe that. Honeymooners are open to the softer side of people, so friendliness and the aloha spirit, that also helps our ranking in the destination category," said Talwar.
Hawaii has natural beauty, experience as a destination and we're not just the beach or one island, he said.
Two Hawaii resort properties have reason to purchase multiple copies of the magazine.
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island again topped the Most Luxurious Bathroom list. It is the second year the magazine has included the category. A photo of the luxe lua ran in this space last Aug. 27.
Modern Bride's survey named the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa on Maui as having the best resort spa.
"The great thing about this is we're consistently ranked as a favorite resort by leisure travelers, but this ranking by 3,000 of America's top travel agents is really an honor," said Nancie Brown, director of marketing communications for Grand Wailea.
"We have really great staff in all our departments and in Spa Grande they work very, very hard and take a lot of pride in the work they do, which is evidenced in receiving an award such as this."
The latest in listings that feature Hawaii this-and-that at or among the top is a bit of an opportunity to gloat once again
Bermuda's Department of Tourism admitted to using pictures taken in Hawaii and other resort destinations in an advertising campaign early last year. It was quite the controversy as the advertising appeared in publications such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Bermuda tourism's assistant marketing director justified use of the photo, saying it was used for emotion and could have been taken anywhere in the world. Its advertising agency declined to return media calls during the uproar that ensued. Indignation and embarrassment on the part of some Bermudans -- who e-mailed your columnist -- were heightened when Bermuda Tourism Minister was quoted as saying, "Bermuda's beaches can outdo Hawaii's beaches any day, and I have been to Hawaii."
OK, which beaches?
Googling the phrase "world's best beaches," nets result after result that cite one or more Hawaii beaches at or near the top of many lists on which Bermuda doesn't even appear.
You know the noise that's created when you stick out your tongue and blow? Anybody know how to spell that?
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com