North American cities want more friendly tourist ambassadors
North American cities seeking more tourists or trying to find new ways of enticing visitors are increasingly turning to so-called “ambassador” programs.
A recent example: Kansas City, Mo., where tourism leaders are promoting a $7 billion addition that will include an entertainment district and sports arena expected to usher in a new outpouring of tourists next year.
The Kansas City Convention & Visitors Bureau is implementing a Heartland Tourism Ambassador program, which trains hospitality workers to know about local attractions and resources and basic customer service.
Atlanta initiated a similar plan in 1996 for the summer Olympics, forming what it called the Ambassador Force.
British Columbia also introduced its SuperHost certification program in 1985.
“We could spend a lot of money marketing, but once people get here and they meet people who don’t treat them the way they expect to be treated, they go home and tell that story,” Tourism British Columbia’s Jenni Hopkyns told USA Today.
Report by David Wilkening
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