HTA News Release: O‘ahu Visitors Bureau Appoints Catherine Orlans as Destination Manager
Posted on Sep 24, 2021 in Latest News, Newsroom
The O‘ahu Visitors Bureau (OVB) has appointed Catherine Orlans as destination manager. A new position funded by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), as destination manager Orlans will be responsible for implementation and oversight of the O‘ahu Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP), as well as O‘ahu’s Community Enrichment Program (CEP). Orlans lends extensive experience in the hospitality industry, sales and marketing, as well as sustainability to the new position.
“We are excited to have Catherine join the OVB ‘ohana to lend her expertise in carrying out O‘ahu’s DMAP,” said Noelani Schilling-Wheeler, executive director of OVB. “The O‘ahu Destination Management Action Plan provides a roadmap to a more sustainable future for both residents and our visitor industry. Our community will benefit from Catherine’s role at managing the DMAP actions.”
HTA, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu and OVB, developed the O‘ahu DMAP with a 23-member steering committee and input from O‘ahu residents through community presentations and an online feedback form. With the goal of rebuilding, redefining and resetting the direction of tourism over a three-year period, the DMAP identifies areas of need and actionable solutions for enhancing the residents’ quality of life as well as improving the visitor experience.
Orlans is in charge of facilitating, implementing and managing the O‘ahu DMAP actions. Her role includes leading meetings and discussions with organizations and agencies involved in the DMAP, as well as engaging with the wider community on DMAP activities and updates. She is responsible for tracking and reporting progress on DMAP actions, managing associated budgets and expenses, and will also report to the DMAP steering committee that now serves as an advisory group. In addition,
as the primary manager of O‘ahu’s Community Enrichment Program, Orlans oversees the entire CEP process from RFP release and proposal evaluation; to funding allocation, contracting and reporting.
“Catherine will serve an important role in moving the O‘ahu DMAP actions forward, further empowering residents to have a voice in tourism’s future,” said Caroline Anderson, director of planning for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “The vision of the O‘ahu DMAP emphasizes collaboration for a visitor industry that is rooted in mālama in which the island will be abundant and resilient, and our residents and visitors will have respect for each other and our environment.”
Prior to joining OVB, Orlans served as program coordinator with Honeywell. In this position she served as a subject matter expert for water and energy utility conservation programs, with particular focus on the…
Read More: David Y. Ige | HTA News Release: O‘ahu Visitors Bureau Appoints Catherine