Although she spent years traveling the world as a flight attendant, our Vice President of Agent Operations Lisa Findura had yet to check Hawaii off her bucket list. That is, until earlier this year, when she said “aloha” to the island of Oahu for Apple Vacations’ Hawaii MVP Advisory Retreat.

October 10th-14th, Lisa joined 15 other travel agents and their companions for a few days of exploring the island. They stayed at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, which Lisa was very impressed with for its location and for its beachfront dining options.

The group visited 12 properties in all, many of which are classic Waikiki properties. Lisa says that each one had a unique look to the decor, which often featured serene, natural themes.

“Two of the resorts we toured, The Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider, are older but have a ton of history and charm,” adds Lisa. “They are great for clients who want something different.”

She also recommends the Hilton Garden Inn as a more budget-friendly option. The beach is a short walk away — just 1.5 blocks — and it’s been beautifully refurbished with modern, trendy touches. However, each of the hotels they visited had something special that would appeal to the right traveler.

The Waikiki area in general remains an alluring location for families, couples and travelers of any age.

“Waikiki feels very safe. The shopping areas are beautiful and high-end,” Lisa says.

Apple Vacations also took the group on an excursion to the Kualoa Mountain Range on the north side of the island, opposite Honolulu. Known as one of the islands’ most sacred natural sanctuaries, Kualoa’s stunning scenery is a popular destination for travelers.

It’s also frequently used as a backdrop for films and tv shows, like Jurassic Park, The Hunger Games and Lost. Lisa’s group took an abridged version of the Premier Movies Sites tour, which runs through the entire valley and stops at iconic spots where blockbusters have been filmed since the 1950s.

They ended the day at Turtle Bay Resort nearby, enjoying a site inspection followed by cocktails and dinner. The resort sits on its own peninsula, surrounded by aquamarine waters and lush forests.

“Turtle Bay would be an amazing place to spend a few peaceful days immersed in nature, away from busy beaches and touristy spots,” says Lisa.

All in all, Lisa’s first trip to Hawaii left her wanting to come back again and discover more of what the islands have to offer. Mahalo to the host Apple Vacations for this opportunity!

Because KHM Travel Group has MVP status with Apple Vacations, there are several benefits to booking Hawaii through Apple. First, agents receive Double Royalties Points, which can be redeemed for merchandise, travel, and hotel stays. Apple also has Hawaii representatives on site to address clients’ questions or needs during their stay, and they provide deluxe documentation for clients.

Our agents’ combined efforts have allowed KHM Travel to reach MVP status, so thank you for your continued support of our Preferred Supplier!

KHM Travel Agents can learn more about Apple Vacations in the Portal.

KHM Travel Group is a host travel agency that provides home-based travel agents a platform to launch a successful business. Get our free Travel Agent Information Guide by filling out the form on the right or by calling 1-888-611-1220.