RFP 27 05 Hawaii Tourism Destination Brand Marketing Europe MMA

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is requesting proposals for comprehensive destination brand marketing services for the Hawaiian Islands within the Europe Major Market Area, with proposals due August 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time via HIePRO. The scope is limited to leisure travel marketing; Meetings, Conventions & Incentives (MCI) activities are expressly excluded. Primary emphasis is on Germany and the United Kingdom.

The fixed-price contract value is $1.8 million over a forty-month term: $500,000 for the initial sixteen-month period (September 2026 through December 2027), $500,000 for the first twelve-month optional renewal (January 2028 through December 2028), and $800,000 for the second twelve-month optional renewal (January 2029 through December 2029). The State anticipates issuing a notice of award during the week of August 24, 2026, with contract performance commencing September 15, 2026.

Services encompass consumer marketing, public relations, travel trade engagement, airline partnerships, owned-channel management, and account administration. The contractor must meet three Key Performance Indicators for 2027, 2028, and 2029: Total Visitor Arrivals growth of 1.5% year-over-year, Total Visitor Expenditures growth of 4.5% year-over-year, and Average Islands Visited Per Person growth of 0.8% year-over-year. The contractor must achieve 85% of approved activity measures and demonstrate brand alignment, financial accountability, and timely reporting.

Prior to award, the contractor must obtain a Certificate of Vendor Compliance and maintain commercial general liability insurance ($3 million per occurrence / $5 million aggregate), automobile liability insurance ($1 million limits), and errors and omissions insurance ($3 million per occurrence / $5 million aggregate). The contract is subject to legislative appropriation and may be adjusted based on funding availability or changes to HTA priorities. Payment is made within thirty days of invoice and satisfactory performance verification. The contractor must comply with all applicable Hawaii employment, tax, and business laws.