SYTA Pre FAM Registration

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Pre-Summit FAM: Hawaiʻi Island Student Travel Experience

Before the SYTA Summit 2027 in Honolulu, SYTA members are invited to take part in a Hawaiʻi Island Pre-Summit FAM designed to showcase the island’s potential for student travel.

This experience offers participants the opportunity to explore Hawaiʻi Island firsthand, connect with local experiences, and evaluate the destination through a student travel lens. From volcanoes and marine ecosystems to agriculture and cultural experiences, the program highlights the variety of educational and experiential opportunities available to student groups.

Traveling from Hilo to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and across to the Kona Coast, participants will experience the island’s diverse landscapes, activities, and attractions while gaining insight into how these experiences can be incorporated into future student travel programs. The FAM concludes in Kona, with participants traveling onward to Honolulu to join SYTA Summit 2027.

Program Snapshot

• Dates: January 16–19, 2027
• Destination: Hawaiʻi Island
• Regions Featured: Hilo, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Kona
• Hosted by: Polynesian Adventure Tours
• Participant Profile: SYTA members
• Capacity: 20 participants 

Participants should plan to arrive in Hilo on Saturday, January 16. On Sunday, January 17, participants joining the FAM should plan to arrive in Hilo by 11:00 a.m. The program concludes in Kona on Tuesday, January 19, with participants traveling onward to Honolulu to attend SYTA Summit 2027.

Featured Experiences Include:

• Hilo Welcome & Lei Making – Begin the FAM with a welcome dinner featuring local favorites, followed by a hands-on lei-making experience.
• Hilo Farmers Market – Explore downtown Hilo and experience the vibrant local market, offering an introduction to the community and local culture.
• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park – Discover one of Hawaiʻi Island’s most iconic natural environments, including dramatic craters, steam vents, and lava fields.
• Kona Coast Snorkel Adventure – Explore the vibrant reefs and marine life of the Kona Coast during a guided snorkeling experience aboard Body Glove.
• Kona Cloud Forest – Experience Hawaiʻi Island’s unique upcountry environment during a guided walk through the Kona Cloud Forest.
• Kona Coffee Experience – Visit Kona Joe Coffee Farm to learn how world-famous Kona coffee is grown, harvested, and transformed from tree to cup.

Throughout the FAM, participants will experience a mix of educational, cultural, environmental, and adventure-based activities that can help inform future student travel programming to Hawaiʻi Island.

Participants will leave with firsthand destination knowledge, a better understanding of the island’s student travel offerings, and new ideas for incorporating Hawaiʻi Island into future group itineraries. From Hilo, participants will continue on to Honolulu to attend SYTA Summit 2027.

What Is Included

Polynesian Adventure Tours will host the approved group for the on-ground FAM program, including:

• Accommodation with hotel partners
• In-destination transportation
• Curated experiences and activities
• Selected meals
• Access to local attractions and experiences
• Return Airfare from Kona to Honolulu on Southwest Airlines
• Airport Transfer to Waikiki Marriott

What Is Not Included

Participants are responsible for:

• Airfare
• Luggage Fees
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses and incidentals
• Any expenses outside of the scheduled FAM program

Participation & Application

Additional information about the ideal participant profile and the interest form will be available soon. If you would like to be contacted when the information is available, please email cmackenzie@syta.org.