MEMBERS of Women in Tourism International Alliance (WITIA) are in for an exciting experience at the September, Hawaii Educational and Annual General Meeting with increasing activity from the Big Island’s still active volcano, Pele.

A plume of steam and gas has been gushing from a vent in the crater wall since early March making for some spectacular sightseeing for visitors to the Big Island of Hawaii.

A record number of members  have registered for the September 15 – 19th Educational already with members attending from as far a field as Nigeria  and Scotland.

WITIA President Anne Isaacson said their enthusiasm for this year’s educational was buoyed by the interest of so many members and the fact that Pele was putting on a show made the impending trip even more exciting.

“The plume above the volcano rises more than one mile above the crater and is snowy white and very distinctive so we will be able to see it from the city centre of  Kona on the Big Island.

“There is absolutely no danger to our members with Hawaiian authorities constantly monitoring the activity and the elevated sulphur dioxide to ensure the safety of all participants” Mrs Isaacson said.

“We are just looking forward to experiencing another of Hawaii’s wonderful attractions and feel a little privileged that we will get to witness one of nature’s wonders at work while we are there,” she said.

The WITIA annual educational brings travel and tourism delegates from all over the world together to discuss a variety of industry related issues and bridge the global gap.

“The educational – whilst very much about networking, learning more about travel destinations and sharing a wealth of knowledge, is also about cementing friendships and meeting email colleagues”  Mrs Isaacson said.