Bit of local knowledge travels far
INDUSTRY PLAN TO TURN FAR NORTH STAFF INTO TOURISM GURUS
A NEW training platform has been revealed designed to turn hospitality staff into pseudo tour guides armed with in-depth knowledge of the Port Douglas and Daintree region.
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree have launched a new online program designed to equip Douglas Shire business staff with the knowledge “to discuss the destination with authority” and help exceed guest expectations for a predicted bumper school holiday and high season.
It’s hoped the education tool will also help with the recruitment and retention of quality staff in Port Douglas and surrounds, something the destination has struggled with since the onset of the global pandemic.
TPDD chief executive officer Tara Bennet said the innovation would provide a high quality, accurate and consistent information hub portal in the small business sector.
The training will involve six modules and a destination-specific course, equipping employees with useful local knowledge.
“We want all local frontline staff to be walking and talking sales machines representing our beautiful region,” she said.
“Enduring travel tales are of connecting with locals who
share a gem or an insider tip, we hope to encourage more of this through the platform.
“For many years, visitor research and the regional business community has identified the need for customer service in the destination to be optimised and staff to be better informed on the destination.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael
Kerr said the training “tied in nicely” with the recently launched Do It In Douglas campaign.
The course draws on decades of hotel, retail and hospitality experience answering traveller questions “to fast track the local knowledge bank” that brings service “from good to exceptional”.
“Now is the best time to
upskill yourselves and your staff with forward booking data suggesting 2022 will be one of our busiest visitor years in recent memory,” he said.
“We want to keep encouraging people to Do It In Douglas, so we all need to do our bit to make sure the visitor experience lives up to our unrivalled reputation.”