Tourism + UH Sports

[chawan_cut]

Thought about this after seeing a tour company bring a bus load of tourists to two of the recent home UH men's basketball games.
The first time I was already in the arena and saw a tour guide with her tour banner follow me sign with a bunch of Japanese tourists following her on the concourse level.
Second was coming up Lower campus road by the back stairs to L&L and the tour bus was dropping them off and the tour guide was handing out tickets. (I was tempted to pretend to be one of them and ask for one in Japanese but thought otherwise. ha.)

Maybe UH should partner up with the HTA and bring more tourists to the games. Include it in part of their Hawaii experience. These were older tourists, but I'm sure some of them have some sort of interest in what American sports are like. This was just one small group of tourists at the SSC, but imagine if you could pre-sell a bunch of tickets to football games? That way in lean times like this, we'll still have some sort of guaranteed crowd with the tourists and not be in too big a hole with the budget? That way we're not just asking for gimme gimmes for money but give them something in return.

[Palolo_2LA]

Thought about this after seeing a tour company bring a bus load of tourists to two of the recent home UH men's basketball games.
The first time I was already in the arena and saw a tour guide with her tour banner follow me sign with a bunch of Japanese tourists following her on the concourse level.
Second was coming up Lower campus road by the back stairs to L&L and the tour bus was dropping them off and the tour guide was handing out tickets. (I was tempted to pretend to be one of them and ask for one in Japanese but thought otherwise. ha.)

Maybe UH should partner up with the HTA and bring more tourists to the games. Include it in part of their Hawaii experience. These were older tourists, but I'm sure some of them have some sort of interest in what American sports are like. This was just one small group of tourists at the SSC, but imagine if you could pre-sell a bunch of tickets to football games? That way in lean times like this, we'll still have some sort of guaranteed crowd with the tourists and not be in too big a hole with the budget? That way we're not just asking for gimme gimmes for money but give them something in return.

HTA doesn't want to acknowledge the reality of the importance UH sports has on the state's tourism...some 200 Million + of indirect and direct spending (per SB article). Someone has to hold their feet to the fire. What is Bumpy K. doing these days?

[My3Cats]

This is in Associate AD John McNamara's area of responsibility. 'Nuff said.

[st808]

saw some japanese tour groups at football games last year also. thought that was an excellent idea. need to put u.h. football into japanese tourist publications like the kcc farmer's market and leonard's bakery. we could really use them sept.03 thursday to boost attendance. but, you'd have to upgrade the quality of the food available at the stadium, big time.

[TheDuke]

if you are going to bring in a tour bus..........do a tailgate.......the total experience, bring hibachis..or some super bentos.

[Palolo_2LA]

if you are going to bring in a tour bus..........do a tailgate.......the total experience, bring hibachis..or some super bentos.

+ A large tent with Hawaiian entertainment, food, a meet and greet with the coaches/players after the game for a fee...target all Asian tourist, so there are prospects for donations, travel company sponsorships and most importantly UH games televised or played in Asia. UH can provide a football outlet for Asia.

[Walkoff Balk]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/travel-warni ... 31889.html

Visit Hawaii.
We won't kidnap you.

[cabanalane]

UH got a Japanese kicker no? Marketing should play up to that. I think Rolo also had a Japanese RB. I think he came in for 2-3 plays before his college football career ended.

I forget which current UH position coach coached in Japan for a few years. How about a pipeline from Japan? Ok a few drips.

I'm guessing many of the tourist already been to Hawaii, Waikiki, a Luau, etc. Maybe do some local people stuff. What I don't know, but some tourist may find it interesting. A lot of time even traveling on the mainland, I want to know more what the local people do, then the tourist stuff.

Edit: Derek Faavi spent 5 years in Japan coaching (American) football O-Line. Got to be some big Sumo boys that can block. https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... faavi/2870

[bigislandkurt]

UH basketball drawing Japanese tourists? Perfect timing. Akira dass why.

Yes, having a Japanese kicker is certainly an added bonus for football attendance. Iʻm sure baseball draws a few busloads to Murakami stadium also.

[Walkoff Balk]

The Maui Invitational College Basketball Tournament is the only sports related event that brings in money for Hawaii. But, that's not UH sports related.