Press Release - Three Travel Destinations Join Community of CTAs
January 24, 2012
Contacts:
Mickey Schaefer, CAE, Tourism Ambassador InstituteTM, 520-219-0469, mickey@mickeyandassociates.com
Keith Arnold, Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau, 361-881-1888, karnold@visitcorpuschristitx.org
Kenneth J. Fischang, CHMA, CMP, Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, 707-522-5800, kenfischang@sonomacounty.com
Mike Carrier, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, 405-297-8963, mcarrier@visitokc.com
Three Travel Destinations Join Community of Certified Tourism AmbassadorsTM
Corpus Christi, Texas, Sonoma County, California, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma adopt programs to strengthen the 'total experience' for visitors
Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) in three states have signed on with the Tourism Ambassador InstituteTM to turn local hospitality industry workers into well-informed, enthusiastic advocates for their area.
Corpus Christi, Sonoma County and Oklahoma City bring to 15 the number of Certified Tourism AmbassadorTM (CTA) programs certifying more than 8,000 CTAs in 15 states, involving over 100 DMOs.
Program graduates represent employees, volunteers and community members from frontline to leadership positions. They gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of tourism and a better understanding of the assets that attract visitors to the area in which they live and work.
By helping visitors feel welcome in their destinations, CTAs add to the economic health of an area by spurring repeat and new visits, which result in more tax revenue and local jobs.
Corpus Christi, Texas
City and community leaders will be among the first CTAs in the program that the Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau launches in November 2011. "Eventually, our aim is to educate and coach everyone that has any frequent contact with visitors," says bureau chief executive officer Keith Arnold.
The Gulf Coast destination will benefit right away from a well-groomed group of CTAs. Corpus Christi hosts the Games of Texas in the summers of 2012 and 2013. Coming up are the Texas Travel Industry Association's annual meeting in 2013 and the Texas Society Association Executives convention in 2015.
"All are important to our tourism industry and economy," says Arnold. "We need to be on our toes and welcoming the minute they arrive."
Sonoma County, California
The CTA program will allow a coordinated effort to enhance the visitor experience throughout Sonoma County, the Northern California wine region that encompasses more than 40 cities, towns and villages.
"The CTA program is a brilliant opportunity to bring our community together and educate all tourism industry providers on how to better serves our visitors," says Kenneth J. Fischang, CHMA, CMP. He is president and chief executive officer of the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, which will administer the program.
Once launched, the Bureau will offer CTA training to workers from accommodations, wineries, restaurants, attractions, adventure services and agritourism businesses. "Our goal," says Fischang, "is to pull representatives from as many diverse areas of our destination as possible."
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau knows visitors want accurate and complete information and looks to the CTA program to help provide that. "The opportunity to be a part of this level of quality instruction is a real benefit for our industry professionals," says Mike Carrier, president of the bureau.
Tourism is recognized by Oklahoma City's political and civic leaders as a vibrant part of its economy. "Having a strong, unified program to inform and train our industry partners in all of what the area has to offer provides a tremendous way for us to all ‘sing from the same page,'" says Carrier. "We believe it is the right thing to do for the long-term benefit of the industry and the community."
ABOUT TAI AND CTA
The Tourism Ambassador InstituteTM licenses and accredits local TAI Accredited Providers, often destination management organizations (DMO) such as convention and visitors bureaus, to offer the CTA program at the local level.
The institute, founded by Mickey Schaefer, CAE, president of Mickey Schaefer & Associates LLC, customizes the CTA program for each destination through research and collaboration with the TAI Accredited Provider and local stakeholders.
More than 8,000 CTAs enhance the visitor experience in retail and restaurant businesses, lodging, government, community service and other settings. Fifteen CTA programs exist in 15 states and involve more than 100 DMOs.
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Related Links
Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau, http://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org/
Sonoma County Tourism Bureau, http:/www.sonomacounty.com
Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, http://www.visitokc.com/
Certified Tourism AmbassadorTM program, http://www.ctanetwork.com
Tourism Ambassador InstituteTM, http://www.tourismambassadorinstitute.com
