On March 25, 2022, Hawaii lifted the Safe Travels program requirements for United States citizens visiting the islands. Travelers no longer have to create a Safe Travels account, prove they have COVID-19 vaccinations or take a pre-travel test.

"The program played a key role in keeping Hawaii's residents safe before vaccinations were widely available, and during the surges we've seen through this pandemic," said Hawaii Tourism Authority President John De Fries.

"Bringing the Safe Travels program to a close reflects the progress we have made as a state, and Governor Ige's decision is a good balance of maintaining reasonable health precautions while reopening our society and economy."

With several islands to explore, Hawaii is an ideal vacation destination for all types of travelers. From families and couples to groups of friends and solo travelers, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Learning the ins and outs of this paradisiacal location will ensure you know how to sell it to your clients. One of the best ways to do so is by taking the Hawaii Destination Specialist Program.

The Hawaii Destination Specialist Program is an ideal place to begin for travel advisors wanting to learn all about the islands. The program is simple, informative and fun. During the course, agents will learn to understand the destination as a whole, and they'll also dive into the six individual islands more in-depth. After completing the course, agents will know how to sell the islands to different types of clients.

The first certification course introduces Hawaii. In this course, travel advisors are provided with an introduction to the islands through six chapters. They'll get to know the geography, the weather, various activities and attractions, events and festivals and, of course, the unique history and culture. This course also shares valuable sales tips that oftentimes lead to more bookings.

During the second certification, advisors learn how to properly sell the islands. After getting to know what makes the islands such a unique vacation experience, the certification dives into the variety of traveler types and how to match different clients up to the various islands.

To truly become a Hawaii Destination Expert, agents need to know what makes each island unique. The next part of this course has a section dedicated to each island. From the lush rainforests and groves of coconut palms in Kauai to the arid landscape of black lava fields on the Big Island, agents taking this course discover everything that makes these islands unique.

Travel agents taking this course are also equipped with several resources to reference along the way. One of these is the Maemae Tool Kit which helps advisors represent the destination in a way that stays in line with the brand. Another important resource is the Language Audio Dictionary, where advisors can learn common Hawaiian phrases and make sure they are correctly saying commonly mispronounced words.

As most agents know, one of the best ways to fully learn about a place is by visiting it. Firsthand travel experience is key in successfully selling a destination as well. After completing all the online certifications, agents are eligible to participate in familiarization, or FAM, trips to the islands of Hawaii. It's a great way to put all that learning into practice.

Taking the first step to becoming a Hawaii Destination Specialist is only a few clicks away. To learn more about this educational course or to sign up, visit agents.gohawaii.com.