Business Briefs

Reported by Star-Bulletin staff & wire

Wednesday, August 13, 1997

Outrigger tries airline
coupons to spur travel

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is offering $10 million worth of airfare coupons to encourage mainlanders and Canadians to travel to the islands this fall.

The hotel chain is supplying travel agents with the airfare discount coupons, worth $50 to $150 each, to use for travelers who book Outrigger air-inclusive Hawaii packages that include at least a five-night stay. "We're fully prepared to apply the entire $10 million in credits to stimulate the marketplace," said Rob Solomon, Outrigger senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Solomon said travel agents will like the promotion because they can book through any tour wholesaler that handles Outrigger trips and use any airline.

A newspaper advertising campaign will start Sept. 7 in major West Coast markets, followed by magazine advertisements. Travel agents throughout North America will receive pre-printed coupons. The discounts apply to new bookings for travel to Hawaii Sept. 1 through Jan. 27, except Dec. 19 through 31.

State tax revenues
fell 8.5 percent in July

Tax collections for the state general fund slipped 8.5 percent in July, reflecting lower general excise tax collections.

The state said that tax revenues deposited in the state general fund totaled $217.6 million, down from July 1996's $237.7 million. The state Department of Taxation attributed the decline to a $13.9 million drop in general excise tax collections and a $6.4 million dip in withholding taxes on wages.

Kauai firm to support
Midway tourism biz

A Kauai company has been selected to handle marketing, reservations and logistics support for the development of tourism on Midway Atoll.

The Midway Limited Co., formed by Gregg Gardiner, president, and Bill Bertrand, vice president, was retained by Midway Phoenix Corp. and Phoenix Air, based in Georgia.

Midway was closed to visitors for more than 50 years but last year was opened to a tourism program managed by Midway Phoenix under contract to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, allowing a limited number of visitors. Phoenix Air runs three flights a week to the Atoll from Kauai. Midway Limited is also the shipping agent for the S.S. Midway which carries cargo to the atoll from Kauai every three weeks.