Hawaii Tourism Authority taps Access Cruise to boost ship visitsHawaii Tourism Authority taps Access Cruise to boost ship visits

Access Cruise will assist the Hawaii Tourism Authority in its objective of achieving and exceeding cruise targets with managed visitor distribution to all islands. The company will also help to develop new cruise business and grow market share against competing destinations.

HTA president and ceo George Szigeti said both air and cruise visitors are important. Coupled with the recent launch of a maritime scheduling system, Hawaii hopes to maximize the potential of the cruise market.

Through August, 146,486 visitors arrived by cruise ships or by air to embark ships. That is a 7.5% decline year over year. In 2014, 125 cruise calls carried 243,390 passengers.

Access Cruise, led by president and founder Shannon McKee, represents shore excursion providers, destination services, on-board technologies and on-board revenue generators.

McKee said her company has vast knowledge of international ports and destinations and can bring a lot of value to clients and help ports deliver what cruise lines seek.

The Access Cruise contract with HTA is for one year, with the option to extend for up to two one-year periods.