We can all be tourism ambassadors! Whether you are a native or a newcomer, you can promote your area to others. Learn how below, with some of the programs available across the Commonwealth. Or, explore AHLEI's Guest Service Gold Tourism program to take your training to the next level!
DMOs and CVBs - if you are interested in learning more about how VRLTA can work with you, reach out to our Vice President of Membership and Business Development Brittany Wojdyla.
Guest Service Gold Tourism
Just as one bad apple can spoil the bunch, one negative online review can spoil your business’s chances of attracting new guests. And for tourism destinations, it can be even worse-negative feedback can impact an entire city or region. The reputations of hotels and museums, taxi companies and restaurants, all contribute to a destination’s profile. AHLEI’s best-selling hospitality training program has now been expanded to address the guest service needs of tourism businesses, so all employees can deliver superior service that keeps guests raving about your destination. The Guest Service Gold® Tourism training program includes real-life video vignettes illustrating seven key guest service elements: Recovery: Turn It Around, Personalization: Provide an Individualized Experience, Knowledge: Be in the Know, Passion: Inspire Others, Commitment: Be All In, Inclusion: Include Everyone, and Personality: Be Yourself. The video segments can be viewed individually to emphasize or strengthen a particular trait, or presented together as a comprehensive program. A trainer’s guide covering the topics, with procedures, discussion questions, and exercises enhances the video content and allows for customization to your organization’s policies and procedures. Guest Service Gold® Tourism can be delivered in four hours in a group setting.
Tourism Ambassador Programs across the Commonwealth
Fairfax County Tourism Ambassador Program - Learn more here! From the website:
So far we've trained close to 1,500 Fairfax County Ambassadors. Join this elite group so that you can offer the BEST service to your customers and entice potential clients to our fabulous destination. The Visit Fairfax 2-hour interactive training is FREE. The Ambassador Program: teaches Ambassadors about many of the sites and attractions located in the County and the region and how to use Visit Fairfax resources - www.FXVA.com and the Visitors Guide, offers a wealth of information to sales managers for proposal preparation, provides networking ideas and experiences which foster camaraderie in the Fairfax County hospitality community, introduces customer service tips so that Ambassadors can offer exceptional service to their customers that exceed expectations.
Loudoun County Certified Tourism Ambassador Program - Learn more here! From the website:
The Loudoun County Tourism Ambassador Program is a multi-faceted program that serves to increase tourism by inspiring front-line employees and volunteers to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. When visitors have a positive experience, they are more likely to return in the future and also share their experience with others. Everyone benefits – the visitor, the industry, the local economy, the hospitality professional and the community as a whole. By becoming a Certified Tourism Ambassador™ you’ll have the tools and knowledge necessary to create a more memorable visitor experience and you’ll reap the benefits. Being a CTA is a great achievement!
Martinsville - Henry County Tourism Ambassador Program - Learn more here! From the website:
Does your front-line staff know where to send visitors to the area? Ensure that they have up-to-date knowledge by allowing our team to inform them of the many attractions and points of interest that Martinsville-Henry County has to offer. Call 276.632.8006 or email Tourism@YesMartinsville.com to book a workshop for your business.
Norfolk International Airport Ambassador Program - Learn more here! From the website:
Norfolk International Airport’s volunteer Airport Ambassadors have a well-earned reputation for extending prompt, courteous service and hospitality. Airport Ambassadors are a valued source of information at the airport. They staff the Main Lobby Information Center and are mobile in the Arrivals and Departures terminals. Ambassadors have several resources at their fingertips, including computers, phones, reference materials and more, all to assist travelers and visitors at Norfolk International Airport.
Richmond Region Tourism's "I Am Tourism" Ambassador Program - Learn more here! From the website:
With all of the amazing events and developments happening right now in our region, there is no better time to engage, educate and activate members of our community to become knowledgeable and influential representatives of tourism for the region.
Each tour includes a behind-the-scenes experience at a local hospitality business, town or attraction, and lunch. Tours are open to everyone who has an interest in learning more about tourism in Shenandoah County. With so many new developments in our region, there is no better time to engage, educate and activate members of our community to become even more knowledgeable and influential Tourism Ambassadors for the tourism industry and its impact on our overall economy. For visitors to our region, it's a chance to explore and meet the members of our community that makes Shenandoah County a great place to live, work and play.
Smithfield Hospitality Hero Program - Learn more here! From the website:
The Hospitality Hero Program recognizes frontline employees and volunteers who can make or break the visitation experience for the public every day.
Winchester Tourism Ambassador Program - Learn more here! From the website:
Our Winchester Tourism Ambassador program was established in early 2018. It highlights those businesses and individuals who proudly represent our area to visitors. Local Tourism Ambassadors (LTAs) have been through the official Winchester-Frederick County CVB training and passed a certification test. This training includes industry know-how, local attraction and business asset awareness, and targeted customer service training.