Sign In

Debbie Misajon

Founder, The Coconut Traveler

Debbie Misajon is the founder of The Coconut Traveler, Hawaii's only B Corp certified travel agency, dedicated to creating sustainable and responsible travel experiences. With over three decades of experience in luxury travel, she has worked with prestigious brands such as AMAN and Four Seasons before establishing her own company.

Background and Philosophy

Growing up in Hawaii, Debbie developed a deep connection to the islands, engaging in activities like surfing and hiking. This personal history informs her approach to tourism, emphasizing the importance of leaving a positive impact on the local environment and communities. She believes that visitors have a responsibility, or kuleana, to enhance rather than exploit the destinations they visit.12

The Coconut Traveler

Founded with a mission to transform tourism in Hawaii, The Coconut Traveler focuses on providing ethical travel options that respect cultural heritage and support local economies. The company implements a Responsible Tourism Fee, which contributes to community organizations and environmental initiatives. In 2023 alone, they donated over $64,000 to various local nonprofits.23

Personal Life

Debbie Misajon currently resides in Papaikou on Hawaii's Big Island, where she enjoys the natural beauty of the area alongside her dogs. Her diverse heritage—Filipino-German—coupled with her global experiences enriches her perspective as a leader in sustainable tourism.145

Highlights

Aug 13 · linkedin

Regenerative Travel is everywhere these days. It's challenging the historical one-way tourism industry to reimagine the entire model. Shifting from taking an experience from a destination to a meaningful and mutually beneficial exchange, ultimately leaving the destination better than it was. The Virginia Tech PhD students took a deep dive into what is regenerative tourism and their paper was published. Huge congratulations to them! It's worth the read, they did a lot of work and I am delighted they included The Coconut Traveler; it was an honor to participate alongside so many innovative companies and organizations. Enjoy the read. #bcorp #bhive #regenerativetravel

Aug 6 · linkedin

Mia Taylor, thank you for including me and The Coconut Traveler in your recent piece. We appreciate you and your quick response to all things travel. TravelPulse

Related Questions

What inspired Debbie Misajon to start The Coconut Traveler?
How does The Coconut Traveler ensure sustainable tourism practices?
What are some unique experiences offered by The Coconut Traveler?
How does being a B Corp certified company impact The Coconut Traveler's operations?
What is the Responsible Tourism Fee and how does it work?
Debbie Misajon
Debbie Misajon, photo 1
Debbie Misajon, photo 2
Add to my network

Experience

Founder at The Coconut Traveler (January 2018 - Present)
Independent Consultant at MISAJON LLC (July 2016 - March 2022), Director of Sales and Marketing at The Resort at Pedregal (June 2016 - July 2017), Director of Sales at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, at AMAN (November 2012 - June 2014)