Reception For Certified Tourism Ambassadors

More than 150 members of the hospitality industry were recognized at a Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] event over the weekend.

The BTA, in connection with the Bermuda Hospitality Institute [BHI], hosted a reception highlighting Certified Tourism Ambassadors [CTA’s], ‘Hospitality Skills = Life Skills’ school volunteers, S.T.A.R.T. students and ‘Hospitality Heroes.’

“BTA’s national service standard program was developed to ensure every interaction between visitors and locals is meaningful, purposeful and memorable,” the BTA said.

“Having surveyed thousands of recent visitors to Bermuda, the single most important reason cited for making their trip memorable was the hospitality and friendliness of our people. The survey also revealed visitors trusted the information provided in those conversations with locals for recommendations to restaurants, events, and sightseeing activities – in other words: where to go, what to see and do.

“At the same time, data proves that positive engagement with residents leads visitors to feel their vacation exceeded expectations. That equates to feeling they received value for money spent overall.”

Calling forward the CTA’s in attendance, Karla Lacey, the BTA’s Chief Operations Officer thanked them for “Demonstrating your commitment to this wonderful industry. Your desire to know both Bermuda’s history and its present offerings are what will drive our success.”

BHI’s ‘Hospitality Skills = Life Skills’ School Program was developed to demonstrate the importance of being hospitable as a life skill and to raise the level of awareness of the hospitality industry as a viable career choice. The program is delivered in primary school grades P4 and P6 and middle school grade M2.

“As we move into a new era of hospitality in Bermuda, we are exposing our young people to the opportunities in the hospitality industry through the Hospitality Skills = Life Skills program,” said Malika Musson, Executive Director of BHI. “Once they have that foundation, the START programme equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the hospitality industry.”

The S.T.A.R.T. [Skills, Tasks and Results Training] Programme, is the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Certificate Program for high school students 16 to 18 years-old. It is a 16-week program that provides a quality, career-based educational experience with specific skills training for positions in rooms, food and beverage, guest service, professionalism and career exploration.

“We cannot thank our volunteers and instructors enough for their dedication to these two programs,” Ms. Musson said.

Hospitality comes in many different forms, and the group Imagine Bermuda has explored some of the champions of the industry, whom Glenn Fubler has described as the “heroes of hospitality”. “[They] go out of their way to be welcoming in their professional roles, and creating a space for others that we believe is part of our Bermuda heritage,” said Mr. Fubler.

This reception was an opportunity to highlight individuals learning about the hospitality industry, volunteering their time to help others learn more about the industry, and to celebrate those identified as champions of the hospitality industry.

#BermudaTourism

Category: All