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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, October 2, 2003

Hawai'i to help China tourism industry

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has won a $399,500 grant to help market Hawai'i's hospitality expertise to China leading up to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The grant was recently awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce under what's called a market development coordinator program that helps companies promote their services overseas.

Among the services Hawai'i hopes to sell are hospitality-related marketing, management and training as well as resort design and planning.

When coupled with matching amounts from 12 participating companies and added money or in-kind contributions from the state, the total value of the program is expected to reach $1.2 million over three years.

That money will be used to develop markets in the Asian-Pacific region, although China clearly will be the main target, said Steve Bretschneider, DBEDT chief marketing officer.

Hotel and restaurant executives from China are keen to learn how they can improve the country's hospitality industry, particularly now that the country is a member of the World Trade Organization and will host the 2008 summer games. China also will host the 2010 World's Fair in Shanghai.

"They're looking to places like Hawai'i that have tourism expertise," Bretschneider said.

"I think (the grant) will do a pretty good job of getting us noticed by those people that we need to talk to to sell our wares."

Groups participating in the program include: the University of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Pacific University, PKF Hawaii, Belt Collins and Wimberly, Allison, Tong & Goo.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.