All the highlights from the Infinity Luxury Maui famil
Earlier this month, Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) hosted an amazing Infinity Holidays Incrowd Travel Associates famil.
Nine top-selling Travel Associates agents from across Australia flew with Hawaiian Airlines to take part in the five-day luxury famil, where they were able to immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture throughout Maui and Moloka‘i.
The Travel Associates agents enjoyed four amazing nights at the luxurious Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, with Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau (MVCB) kicking off proceedings with a delicious private breakfast at Fairmont Kea Lani and a Hawaiian cultural immersion session.
From there, Travel Associates agents journeyed through history and experienced a part of Maui like no other with a tour of one of Maui’s most historic buildings, The King’s Cottage, as well as being treated to a wine tasting.
Agents also visited Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm & Distillery, home to Maui’s Ocean Organic Vodka – the only vodka in the world that is powered by the sun, earth and ocean.
Next stop on the famil was Moloka‘i, which began with a history and cultural tour of Hālawa Valley, which offers beautiful vistas, rich flora and rare Hawaiian plants and animals. Many hidden heiaus (places of worship) are in this valley. Thus, it is deemed as one of Hawaii’s most sacred areas.
Then it was into Kalaupapa Lookout in Pala‘au State Park, where agents enjoyed striking views of Moloka‘i’s North Shore and the Kalaupapa Peninsula.
The famil continued back in Maui with a breathtaking 75-minute Maverick Helicopters Hāna Rainforest Tour, which allowed agents to explore the island’s authentic and remote landscape.
The tour featured an exclusive 30-minute landing in a former taro plantation, within a Hawaiian rainforest.
The famil wrapped up with a farewell dinner hosted by MVCB at Gannon’s Restaurant and a sunset painting session where agents created their own custom Maui masterpiece.
“Amazing”, “breathtaking” and “exceptional”: agents’ fantastic famil feedback
Travel Weekly sat down with two of HTO’s delegates, Travel Associates’ Matthew Chisholm and Kylie Apps, to find out what they thought of the famil:
How did you rate the famil?
MC: The Hawaii famil was awesome. Great resort, fantastic activities and experiences, and good food and drink – all you can ask from a famil.
KA: 10 out of 10.
What was your favourite part of the famil?
MC: The Maverick helicopter flight along the coast, being close to waterfalls, and then dropping into the Hāna Valley for a rainforest landing with champagne. The rum and vodka tasting at the Hawaii Sea Spirits and the dinner at Fleetwood’s On Front St. were also exceptional.
KA: The Maverick helicopter ride over the north coast of Maui, where the opening scene of Jurassic Park was filmed.
What part of the famil surprised you?
MC: The trip to Moloka‘i surprised me – a sunrise flight along the north coast of Maui and Moloka‘i revealing steep cliffs and waterfalls dropping into the ocean. Beautiful.
KA: The breathtaking beauty once you get outside of the hotels, not only on Maui but the outlying island of Moloka‘i. Absolutely stunning.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Aloha Down Under Aloha Friday wrap Aloha Friday' Hawai’i Tourism Oceania hawaii Hawaiian famil HTO Kylie Apps Matthew Chisholm Maui molokai travel associatesLatest News
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.
Singapore Airlines grows group passenger traffic by 13.9% for March
This is one of the few situations where an increase in traffic is a good thing.
Number of Aussies going on cruises beats pre-pandemic levels
To be honest, if being stuck inside for two years doesn't give you the travel bug, then nothing will.
Vietjet slashes prices on flights across Vietnam, India & Australia
You can now fly to Vietnam for less money than a night out in Sydney or Melbourne. Time to reconsider the budget.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) names accommodation excellence award winners
Think blowing up the airbed for your mate qualifies as accommodation excellence? Think again.
Abercrombie & Kent launches Peruvian riverboat tour
If you think being left at a port is scary? Imagine being stuck in the Amazon.
Club Med Bali reveals last-minute group travel deal
If you haven't frolicked across a beach in Bali with your colleagues have you even lived?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises grows sales team across Australia & New Zealand
It is only Monday and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already announcing hires. Great stuff!
Out of the Ordinary Outback offers caravanners and campers a free night
It's the perfect getaway if your neighbours are starting to drive you a little insane.
Luxury Escapes reveals third signature series tour with Miguel Maestre
We would recommend reading this after lunch, otherwise you risk slobbering at your desk.