Three days of training for tourism industry professionals helped boost tourism to even greater heights in the United States Virgin Islands.

Offered by Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence and supported by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism during National Travel & Tourism Week (May 6 to 12, 2018), “Customer Service & Frontline Training” sessions on Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10 polished the skills of the “meeters and greeters” who are the face of tourism across the Territory.

Having taken place at the University of the Virgin Islands’ St. Croix and St. Thomas campuses, the sessions took customer service professionals, such as tour and taxi drivers and hospitality sales staff, through issues such as how to make a lasting impression on visitors and inspire them to return, handling challenging situations, and being mindful of cultural differences.

Sessions at St. Croix’s Buccaneer Hotel and The West Indian Company’s Administrative Building, St. Thomas on Tuesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 10 respectively, catered to tourism industry stakeholders interested in delivering stronger shore excellence. This workshop, tailored for professionals including retail and shore excursion operators, focused on how to help maintain the U.S. Virgin Islands, one of the most popular cruise stops in the Caribbean, as a port of excellence.

“We are committed to providing customer service training for our hardworking professionals in the tourism industry,” said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “We’re in a global competition with other destinations, and today’s discerning travelers make decisions based on many factors, including their expectations of friendly, helpful and attentive service. This training helps us excel.”

For more information and to RSVP, contact srosario@usvitourism.vi or call 340-201-6880 for the St. Croix sessions. Contact sttgreeters@usvitourism.vi or call 340-774-8784 for training on St. Thomas.