Hawaii Tourism Authority contract award to top marketing agency prompts scrutiny | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaii Tourism Authority contract award to top marketing agency prompts scrutiny

JAMM AQUINO / JULY 10
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is looking to address problems brought by the strain of overtourism through a destination management plan. A tour group stood on the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway looking toward Turtle Beach as others lined the shoreline in Laniakea.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority recently awarded a $9.4 million sole-source contract to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, even as the marketing agency nears the end of a separate contract worth $105 million to promote Hawaii to U.S. travelers and will have to compete to keep the more lucrative deal.