MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii recently was named “Best Value Destination” in the SmarterTravel Editors’ Choice Awards 2010, beating out other contenders, including Las Vegas, Mexico, Australia, and Argentina.

According to the company’s website, Hawaii earned the title as this year’s best value destination based on sales and deals.

The site also noted “With a three percent drop in overall year-over-year travel prices and a 10 to 15 percent decrease in premium hotel rates, plus four new air routes so far in 2010 and the likely addition of new low-cost carrier service from Allegiant, Hawaii was the obvious choice. While the summer peak season should be busy, last-minute deals may still be available, as will discounts for the rest of the year.”

“Value is measured by the total experience a visitor gets when they come to Hawaii,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). “It is an honor to have earned this award because it is also a reflection of our people, our culture and our place.”

John Monahan, president and CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) added, “We’ve always believed Hawaii has been a great value for travelers and it’s satisfying to see the editors at SmarterTravel agree. This recognition is the result of hard work and collaboration within Hawaii’s tourism industry. The mission has been to keep the destination competitively priced by providing travelers attractive deals without sacrificing quality in these tough economic times.”

SmarterTravel Editor’s Choice Awards named winners in 17 categories, including the best airlines, airports, reward/loyalty programs, providers, and reward cards among others. Overall, SmarterTravel gave the highest marks to companies that have remained focused on providing value and service for a great customer experience.

“Our editors follow the ins and outs of the travel industry every day and they have chosen the best of the best in each category,” said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel. “These winners are meeting the needs of today’s traveler.”

SmarterTravel® is the largest online travel resource of independent expert advice for the budget conscious traveler. SmarterTravel has an unbiased team of travel experts who analyze travel trends and offer money-saving strategies and travel tips. SmarterTravel is a division of Smarter Travel Media LLC.

For more information on the complete list of winners, visit SmarterTravel.com

For more information about Hawaii, the Islands of Aloha, visit gohawaii.com