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End-of-year (2009) newsletter for a Hawaii-based lodging company with 17 locations throughout the islands.
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Oahu: Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa, Aqua Bamboo & Spa, Aqua Palms & Spa, Aqua Waikiki Beachside, Aqua Waikiki Pearl, Aqua Waikiki Wave, Coconut Waikiki Hotel, Continental Surf, Ilikai Hotel & Suites, Island Colony, Maile Sky Court, Park Shore Waikiki, The Equus, Waikiki Marina Hotel Maui: Hotel Wailea Maui Molokai: Aqua Hotel Molokai Kauai: Kauai Beach Resort
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Top to bottom: Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa, Aqua Bamboo & Spa, Aqua Waikiki Pearl, Aqua Palms & Spa, The Equus, Hotel Wailea Maui
Message from Aqua’s President & CEO Aloha Aqua Friends, Let me start by wishing everyone a wonderful new year. It’s hard to believe another year has passed. I am looking forward to what will hopefully be the beginnings of a market recovery in 2010. By nearly all accounts, 2009 was the most difficult year ever for Hawaii tourism. I was pleased to see us fight together throughout the year, and while we’ve all been doing more for less, the results of our work and our success will pay off over the long term. For this, I have to thank everyone – partners, team members, owners and vendors who have worked together to weather the storm. With 2009 behind us, many have asked what 2010 will bring. Above everything, I believe 2010 will bring stability and predictability. There are new air seats to Hawaii and new marketing campaigns designed to bring visitors to our islands. Ultimately, the market may not get a lot better, but I don’t believe it will get worse, particularly in latter part of the year. As Aqua looks towards how it will succeed in 2010, we need to start with market leadership. Working hard on new ideas and services, based on input we receive from our travel partners, team members and customers, is critical. When consumers shop for us, they need to know that Aqua provides a better experience. When wholesalers decide what property to carry, they need to know that Aqua delivers every time. And when owners choose Aqua they must know that we will maximize the value of their investment. Finally, I’d like to share a personal goal that I have – as Aqua continues to grow, I will make certain that we keep investing in the Aqua ohana. Having a strong team will do as much for our success in 2010 as any other initiative. Mahalo for your support in 2009 and I’ll look forward to working with you in 2010.
Aqua will be on the road … look for our sales ohana: Karishma Chowfin at the HVCB Road Show: 1/25-Salt Lake City, 1/26-Tacoma, 1/27-Portland, 1/28-Oakland and 1/29-Long Beach Glenn Goto at the HTJ Seminar throughout Japan: 1/20-Sapporo, 1/21-Sendai, 1/25-Fukuoka, 1/27-Nagoya, 1/28-Osaka and 1/29-Tokyo Karishma Chowfin at the HVCB Road Show: 2/22-Boston, 2/23-Long Island, 2/24-Philadelphia, 2/25-Atlanta and 2/26-Houston
Ben Rafter
2009 milestones January 1 – Aqua expands to the neighbor islands with their first property in the resort destination of Wailea, Maui – Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa. June 15 – Black Diamond Hospitality renames Diamond Wailea Resort to Hotel Wailea Maui.
July 1 – Aqua rebrands 53-room Hotel Molokai as Aqua Hotel Molokai.
July 21 – Aqua announces landmark Ilikai hotel to reopen on July 24, managed by Hotel Management Services, LLC – a subsidiary of Aqua Hotels & Resorts ... See page 4 for a photo hana hou (encore) from the previous issue. July 2 – Aqua named to manage 350-room Hilton Kauai Beach Resort. As of January 1, 2010, the Hilton flag will be removed and Aqua will manage and market the resort ... See page 5 for a selection of recently taken photos. August 4 – Aqua Waikiki Pearl officially blessed and joins the Aqua Boutique Collection.
December 1 – Aqua adds Maile Sky Court hotel in Waikiki. Currently, Aqua’s chain-wide inventory of 17 unique properties is located exclusively in Hawaii with 14 locations on Oahu, one on Maui, one on Molokai and one on Kauai offering Aqua Boutique and Aqua Lite brands.
Contact: [email protected]
Oyster.com Best Value on Maui
Great Hotel Views in Hawaii Most Romantic Hotels on Maui
Hotel Wailea Maui 2009 Oct
Oyster.com
Best Hotel Beaches in Hawaii Best Hotel Beaches on Kauai
Best Hotel Spas on Kauai Best Value Hotels on Kauai
Hilton Kauai Beach Resort 2009 Oct
Oyster.com Best Value Hotels on Oahu Aqua Waikiki Pearl
Best Western Coconut Waikiki Park Shore Waikiki
2009 Sep
Oyster.com Best Hotel Rooms on Oahu Best Western Coconut Waikiki 2009 Sep
Best Western International Best Western Chairman's Award Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel 2009 Sep
Travel Weekly Magellan Gold Award Advertising Campaign
Stay Hawaii. Stay Aqua. Aqua Hotels and Resorts 2009 Sep
Travel Weekly Magellan Silver Award
Website www.aquaresorts.com
Aqua Hotels and Resorts 2009 Sep
TripAdvisor #1 Honolulu Hotel Best Western Coconut Waikiki Hotel 2009 Jun
Hotel Business Magazine #76 top 100 Management Companies Hotel Business Magazine 2009 Apr
PBN Hawaii's Fastest 50 #43 Aqua Hotels and Resorts 2009
Gayot Top 10 Value Hotels in Hawaii Aqua Bamboo & Spa 2009
AAA AAA Three Diamond Award Aqua Palms & Spa 2009
Hotel Wailea Maui Kauai Beach Resort Aqua Waikiki Pearl
Best Western Coconut Waikiki Park Shore Waikiki
Recognition garnered in 2009
Contact: [email protected]
Celebrities hosted in 2009
Clockwise from top left Thomas Ian Nicholas (left) known for the American Pie movies with DJ Collette (right - she recently performed at the Lotus Sound Bar) with Best Western Coconut Waikiki guest services agent Crystal Costa (center). Inset photo of Thomas in American Wedding. Flavor Flav (left) and Big Casper (right) of the rap group Public Enemy with Aqua Palms & Spa hotel manager Kahea Doss. Jason Scott Lee. Inset photo of Jason as Bruce Lee Mike Rowe with Crystal Costa of Best Western Coconut Waikiki. Inset photo of Discovery Channel’s ad for Dirty Jobs with show host Mike. Masaharu Morimoto, also known as Iron Chef Morimoto, was a guest at The Equus. Kelly Hu (center) with Larissa Canida, Best Western Coconut Waikiki guest services supervisor (right) and friend. Inset photo of Kelly in the Scorpion King.
Contact: [email protected]
Seated (l-r) May Cabauatan Amber Watt, Elizabeth Churchill, LeeAnn Isobe, Keith York, Lori Downes Standing (l-r) Dan Bayne, Karishma Chowfin, Justin Nakaahiki, Myna Eheler, Kehau Amorin, Robin Harlow, Luana Kekaula-Castillo, James Odo Not pictured: Evelyn Shiroma, Angela Byun Maui Ann Ikuta Kauai Maydene Simmons GSAs Australia/New Zealand, Travel Reflections Japan, ARM International China, Aloha Consultant Company South Korea, Pacific Air Agency Group United Kingdom, First Public Relations
Hauoli Makahiki Hou …
from the Sales & Marketing team
Contact: [email protected]
