Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 - (Page 15)

ing up on souvenirs when they’ve turned over a few times on the beach and their skin needs a break from the sun. AGENTADVICE “I have clients who won’t go away if they don’t have quality shopping around them,” says Janine Fabrizi, manager of 23-year-old KPT Travel, Hicksville, NY, which caters to high-end travelers who find much more to appreciate in Waikiki than in years past. “Now you have so many of the [brand] names…Whenever you have that kind of a retail market, it does attract a different clientele.” Many other factors—impressive hotel renovations, added nightlife and dining options and a poor exchange rate that has deflected travel from Europe to stateside destinations—have combined to spur sales to Hawaii, says Fabrizi. And Waikiki has definitely benefited. “You can relax in the morning on the beach, then spend three or four hours just strolling and window-shopping,” she says. “Who doesn’t love to do that?” Open-Air Spending Waikiki’s Ala Moana Center has the distinction of being the largest open-air mall in the country, with 290 stores representing 100 national brands, 40 retailers found only in Hawaii and one of the largest collections of luxury goods retailers in the world. Take a stroll along the breezy, glossy pathways of Ala Moana and the best of the world’s designers come within tantalizing view. There are the luscious bags of Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta, the perfectly cut lines of Emporio Armani and Prada, the glistening baubles at Cartier. It’s like NYC’s Fifth Avenue, L.A.’s Rodeo Drive and Tokyo’s Ginza District rolled into one. Enter their hushed environs and note the mainly exchange-ratehappy tourists who eagerly snatch up these exclusive wares. But part of the experience at Ala Moana for those of us in a dollar-dependent economy is feeling the warm tropical breezes as you stare, kid-in-a-candy-store-like, at the stunning designs hung like artwork behind crystal-clear display windows. Luckily, the likes of Chanel and Bulgari share the neighborhood here with more moderate mall staples such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic and Barnes & Noble. For shopaholics, the Waikiki Trolly runs two shopping shuttles that run from various points within Waikiki and include stops here (an all-day pass is $27 per adult/$13 per child ages four to 11). The center is big enough to employ its own director of tourism, hold live events and host 70 dining venues (including Pearl, one of the hottest new nightspots). As if Ala Moana wasn’t big enough, it recently completed its largest expansion in almost 10 years. A 300,000square-foot retail wing opened this past spring, featuring 17 new shops, including national and international brands entering the islands for the first time. One of the key newcomers is a three-story Nordstrom department store, which opened earlier this year and caused a flurry of excitement among local shoppers. The beautiful new store offers a casual dining venue that’s received praise from local critics as well. Other national retailers that entered Hawaii for the first time in this expansion include the furniture retailer Design Within Reach, casual apparel chain J. Crew, handbag and accessories designer Vera Bradley and childrenswear The Ala Moana Center at dusk FROM THE MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR EXPANSION OF ALA MOANA CENTER TO THE SPIFFY REVAMP OF the former Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center to the new Beachwalk area, Waikiki’s retail scene is undergoing a renaissance—not only attracting more of the world’s top designers, but showcasing homegrown talents as well. Visitors can look to expanding their wardrobe or stock- retailer Janie & Jack, among others. Local retailers are also expanding their presence here—made-in-Hawaii apparel chain Blue Hawaii Lifestyle and Hawaiian heirloom jeweler Philip Rickard opened outlets in the new wing. But it’s mostly about national and international brands here. Gazing about the pristine mall, it’s obvious the center is a true international shopping destination. Even as other malls and retail centers in the mainland U.S. struggle for tenants, Ala Moana claims $1 billion a year in sales. And it’s not just at this mall where Hawaii is bucking the trend—throughout Waikiki, new retail space is attracting tenants eager for the attention and sales of a global destination. And tourists are benefiting as the city becomes a more exciting shopping destination. Even publishers are taking note: Zagat Survey is planning its first-ever guidebook for the Hawaiian Islands, which will prominently feature shopping in Waikiki. A Royal Affair Those who haven’t been to the heart of Waikiki lately are in for a surprise. In the past decade, Honolulu has spent $80 million refurbishing Waikiki’s streets, sidewalks and parks. This, along with reinvestment in the retail arena CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 Septmeber 15, 2008 TravelAgent | 15

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 Online Now Contents Agent Insider From the Editor Hawaii Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas US Airways Vacations - Atlantis, Paradise Island Specialist Central & South America Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: Merge Mania France by Rail Weddings & Honeymoons Gay & Lesbian Travel Tours Agent Profile Triptailor Vacations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Week Insights on Singapore Travel Leaders Builds New Alliances The Latest from the Caribbean A Sneak Peek at a New Ship Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.