About Us
Feb. 29, 2008: Hawaii Tourism Industry Surveys Resident Attitudes
HONOLULU -- In a study released by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA), findings show that a majority of residents statewide appreciate and understand the benefits that tourism brings to our state. The report, prepared by Market Trends Pacific, Inc. and John M. Knox & Associates, Inc, polled 1,644 residents on their attitudes towards Hawaii's $12 billion-a-year visitor industry.

The report, Tracking Surveys of Resident Sentiments on Tourism in Hawai'i, found that 73 percent of residents agree that benefits of tourism exceed any problems associated with it, a result that has remained stable for many years. "Findings from this report show that Hawai'i residents understand and value economic and other benefits that tourism brings to our state," said Rex Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the HTA.

The survey, conducted in October through December 2007, marks the sixth in a regular series of telephone surveys carried out for the HTA. The purpose of the survey is to track resident feelings about ongoing issues in the visitor industry including, but not limited to, growth, quality of life, job quality, and community values. Questions included the following topics:
  • Residents' core attitudes and beliefs on tourism;
  • Attitudes toward some of the newer trends in Hawai'i tourism;
  • Perceived impact of tourism and the importance of those impacts;
  • Attitudes toward visitor industry jobs; and
  • Opinions on other policy issues related to tourism and the visitor industry.
In addition, two new focuses were added to the survey:
  • To identify residents' perception of how tourism affects community issues, specifically traffic and housing; and
  • Thoughts on the visitor industry's role as a community leader.
See the full report at http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/2007RSS/.

Dec. 7, 2007: Dirck Noordhoff Joins Market Trends Pacific as VP of Finance & Operations
Market Trends Pacific, Inc. is pleased to welcome Dirck J. Noordhoff as Partner and Vice President of Finance & Operations. Noordhoff brings more than 15 years of executive administrative and financial management experience to the market research firm.

Prior to joining Market Trends Pacific, Noordhoff was Vice President of Merchandising and Production for Hilo Hattie in Honolulu, where he served on the executive committee. His background includes experience with Walt Disney Resorts, where he led the product implementation team for Disney's California Adventure in 2000. He also was responsible for development and planning of store locations for the park opening.

Noordhoff began his retail career with Duty Free Shoppers Group in Los Angeles, where he managed store operations at Los Angeles International Airport as well as merchandise planning and control operations for the Group. He holds a B.A. degree in economics from Westmont College in Santa Barbara.

Feb. 27, 2007: Study Shows Pro Bowl Economic Impact
HONOLULU--A survey conducted by Market Trends Pacific for the Hawaii Tourism Authority indicates that the Pro Bowl's economic impact on Hawaii fell this year for the second time in a row, even through the event continues to draw sellout crowds at Aloha Stadium. Direct spending by visitors totaled $28.03 million this year, down from $33.26 million last year and $39.34 million in 2005.

Market Trends Pacific also found that more people planned ahead this year for the Pro Bowl as a vacation activity, with 90 percent of the visitors making a decision to attend the annual event ahead of time compared with 77 percent in 2006.

FULL STORY: Star Bulletin | Pacific Business News

Oct. 24, 2006: MTP Joins Exclusive Mystery Shopping Providers Association
Market Trends Pacific Inc. is pleased to join the exclusive membership of Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). It is the only Hawaii company in this international organization dedicated to the advancement of mystery shopping.

Through membership in MSPA, we have access to a vast resource of information and alliances that benefit our clients. MSPA also is a prime avenue for marketing our services and posting shopping assignments.

MSPA is actively involved in educating legislative and regulatory bodies about mystery shopping. By doing so, it has been successful in protecting the industry from unreasonable laws and regulations.

Conversely, MSPA members abide by a strict code of ethics to assure the highest standards of practice and credibility in the field.

MTP currently provides a number of private and public organizations with mystery shopping services, mainly focused on the quality and consistency of customer service. It is a growing area of concern to consumer-oriented businesses. MTP provides the most technologically-advanced process of gathering and analyzing data for its clients.

And now, MTP has the added clout and far-reaching advantages of affiliation with Mystery Shopping Providers Association.

 April 11, 2006: MTP Surveys Hawaii Resident Sentiments on Tourism
Surveys done for the Hawaii Tourism Authority suggests for the first time that a majority of people think local needs are secondary to those of tourists. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed agreed, up from 48 percent in 2002 and 43 percent in 1988. When asked whether tourism overall has brought more benefits than problems, the response is 71 percent positive and in five of the six times the question has been asked since 1998, the responses have been at least 70 percent positive. The research, done by Market Trends Pacific Inc. and John M. Knox & Associates, offers valuable insight into both tourism and charges in priorities over the last 17 years.

More from the Honolulu Star Bulletin
More from the Honolulu Advertiser (April 11)
More from the Honolulu Advertiser (April 14)

 March 6, 2006: Pro Bowl Visitors, Spending Data Reported
The NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu attracted 20,650 tourists to Hawaii to watch the game, generating an estimated $33.26 million in direct visitor spending and $3.23 million in state taxes. Data for the Hawaii Tourism Authority is collected and analyzed annually by Market Trends Pacific, Inc.

The Feb. 12 survey involved 407 visitors at Aloha Stadium. Of the 48,864 spectators, about 27,000 were visitors. The study found visitors stayed an average of 8.98 days and 26 percent planned a trip to a Neighbor Island.

More from the Honolulu Advertiser

 December 16, 2005: An Honor from Aloha Section PGA
In a surprise announcement, Market Trends Pacific President Wanda Kakugawa was presented the President's Award by the Aloha Section Professional Golfers Association (PGA) at its recent annual meeting.

PGA President Ed Kageyama said, "Although our relationship with this individual is relatively recent, she has committed much of her time and effort in making the Aloha Section PGA a stronger association and its members better leaders in the industry."

Citing Wanda's expertise in guiding the Aloha Section on a path of greater knowledge and enlightenment, he called the organizations' partnership with Golf Data Institute "groundbreaking data research (that) positioned the Section at the forefront of golf research."

Golf Data Institute compiles rates, rounds, and revenues for Hawaii's golf courses utilizing research methodology, tools, and analyses provided by Market Trends Pacific, Inc.

April 26, 2005: Survey Says Hawaii Residents Want Superferry
Most Hawaii residents support an interisland ferry service and the use of state funding for harbor improvements, according to a survey commissioned by Hawaii Superferry Inc. The telephone survey, conducted by Market Trends Pacific, found that 86 percent of participants want high-speed ferry service.

As many as 87 percent also approve the use of state funds for harbor improvements to accommodate the planned Hawaii Superferry.

According to public relations consultant Communications Pacific, Hawaii Superferry plans to bring the first local drive-on/drive-off ferry for passengers and vehicles into operation in 2007 with direct service between Honolulu and the neighbor islands. 

More from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
More from Pacific Business News

Feb. 23, 2005: Pro Bowl worth $39.5 million.
Hawaii's NFL Pro Bowl drew 25,400 tourists and generated $39.45 million in visitor spending, according to a study conducted by Market Trends Pacific.Those numbers are up from last year's Pro Bowl, which attracted nearly 22,000 visitors and produced $29.5 million in spending.

Of the roughly 50,000 spectators at this year's Pro Bowl on Feb. 13, 33,300 were visitors and 25,400 of them came to Hawaii specifically to watch the game, according to the study commissioned by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Market Trends Pacific surveyed 503 Hawaii visitors at the Pro Bowl for the study. 

More from the Honolulu Advertiser
November 5, 2004:  Constance Lau Lauded Nationally, Locally
The editors of U.S. Banker magazine named Constance Lau, president and CEO of American Savings Bank, the 11th most powerful woman banker in the nation. She was also named the nation's top "fast tracker" woman banker. Locally, Pacific Business News named Lau "Business Leader of the Year".

This is Lau's first time being recognized in the annual ranking of U.S. Banker's "Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking". Lau is credited with "transforming a sleepy thrift in the 50th state into a fast-growing player."

Congratulations to Connie Lau, whom we are proud to have as a client of Market Trends Pacific Inc.  She is successful because of unrelenting focus on customer service.

November 1, 2004: Perspective on Uninsured
Wanda Kakugawa, MTP president, is getting a close-up look at Hawaii's health care coverage issue. She serves on the Small Business Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and recently was a panelist on "The Cost and Benefits of Health Care Coverage in the 21st Century" presented by the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs and the Hawaii Uninsured Project.

The trade-off between health care benefits and wages has become a prime workplace topic. By 2010, employer-sponsored health benefits will constitute 16.5% of total compensation. Forty-three percent of an employee's benefit package is for health benefits. Yet, more than 47,000 workers are without health care coverage, and 24.5% of uninsured working adults in Hawaii are self-employed.

More from the Honolulu Advertiser

October 19, 2004: New Web Site Design
If you're reading this, you've discovered the new look of our web site. With a recent make-over of our company identity, from typeface to corporate colors, Market Trends Pacific Inc. moves into a more contemporary, distinctive image. Thanks to the talents of the folks at Design Logix, a Honolulu-based graphics design firm, we have a new look.

This section keeps you updated on company developments and some news about our clients. A quarterly enewsletter, emailed to clients and colleagues, presents thought-provoking articles about customer relationship management (CRM) and best marketing practices. Watch for Clarity Cues in your email.

March 13, 2004: Study by MTP analyzes NFL Pro Bowl attendance.
Market Trends Pacific has completed a study for the Hawaii Tourism Authority on the economic impact of the NFL Pro Bowl event. This is the 3rd consecutive year that our firm has conducted this survey for the State of Hawaii.

Of the estimated 49,000 spectators at the Feb. 8, 2004 event, about 30,000 were visitors and 22,000 of those came to Hawaii specifically to see the Pro Bowl. Those visitors brought in about $29.5 million in spending and $2.84 million in state taxes, according to Dr. Jeffrey Smith, MTP Director of Research and Statistics.

More from the Honolulu Advertiser

Feb. 18, 2004 : Call Center Operates in New Location.
Market Trends Pacific’s call center is an epi-center of data-gathering. Call center personnel are the unsung heroes of the information-gathering process. Although they are not visible to our clients and call contacts, they are valuable links to research data.
 
Our stealth team of call operators, survey interviewers, and supervisors recently moved into new office space at 1136 Union Mall in downtown Honolulu . We also upgraded computer and phone equipment so they are working with optimal technology.

The MTP call center if staffed with 20-25 callers to conduct phone surveys for clients. These specially-trained interviewers make outgoing calls regarding a variety of topics, including political issues, social concerns, buying habits, and service standards. Within hours, clients are able to access results via Market IQ over the Internet, and make timely management decisions.

November 7, 2003 : Dr. Jeffrey Smith Joins Staff.
Market Trends Pacific is pleased to welcome Dr. Jeffrey M. Smith as Director of Research and Statistics. Bringing 30 years of experience to the company, Dr. Smith is eminently qualified in survey sampling, questionnaire design, tabulation analysis, and multivariate analysis.
 
Dr. Smith has conducted and directed an extensive series of market research projects in such areas as market feasibility, consumer behavior and attitudes, travel research, image studies, public opinion research, real estate development and condominium studies, media research, store audits and distribution observations, as well as product testing.
 
Previously, Dr. Smith was statistical research consultant to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Commission. He also served at top State and City government departments, and was a partner and research director at a private market research and polling firm. He earned masters and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Hawaii , focusing on statistics and methodology.

November 5, 2003 : Major Golf Marketing Study Completed.
North American golfers are an affluent, independent, well-heeled market that is ideal for Hawaii tourism. That is the finding of new surveys completed by Market Trends Pacific and released today by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau and Hawaii Tourism Authority. This is the first study tourism agencies have done on the golf market segment.
 
MTP conducted separate surveys of PGA Tour partners, club members on the mainland and of visitors to Hawaii , reaching nearly 2,000 golfers. Results showed Mainland golfers have a median annual income of $104,839, and engage in a wide range of activities when they visit Hawaii . The golfers typically travel at least once a year to golf and take the sport seriously in deciding where to travel.
 
Surveys found that mainland golfers play more than five times a month, and that 87 percent said golf was somewhat or very important in making a travel decision. The state will use the MTP-conducted survey as a baseline to improve its marketing to this target sector.

October 2, 2002: Market Trends Pacific launches MarketIQ
After months of development, testing and refinement, Market Trends Pacific will launch the MarketIQ system, an integrated internet system of market research solutions that keeps companies in constant, real-time contact with their customers.

The MarketIQ system initiates a new era of dynamic market and business intelligence products in Hawaii, efficiently deployed over the web.
Market Trends Pacific Inc.

Home :: About Us :: Services :: Methods :: Client Listing :: Client Testimonials :: In The News :: Market IQ :: Contact Us