DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM HOSPITALITY TRAINING DRAWS AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD
By Cathy O'Gara on 2nd October, 2012
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM HOSPITALITY TRAINING DRAWS AN ENTHUSIASTIC CROWD
The customer service workshops were conducted by VI native and service expert Dr. Bryan Williams of BW Enterprise. Photograph available at: www.tinyurl.com/usvitraining
US VIRGIN ISLANDS, October 2, 2012 – More than 600 Virgin Islanders participated in a series of Department of Tourism training events held last week on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
As part of its ongoing campaign to raise customer service standards in the Territory, the Department of Tourism hosted customer service workshops in both districts aimed at the service industry and law enforcement in the Territory.
These free events attracted approximately 400 members of the general public and 150 members of the VI Police Department. Concurrent to the customer service workshops, the Department of Tourism hosted its 3rd Annual Small Hotels Conference which provided marketing and technical support to small hotels and businesses throughout the Territory. Approximately 100 participants attended the free full-day conference held both on St. Thomas and St. Croix.
“We are thrilled with the level of participation in last week’s events,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “The large showing demonstrates the strong interest in professional development of our workforce in the Virgin Islands and a commitment by VI business owners to enhance their product through customer service, organizational efficiencies and creative marketing.”
Topics covered in the Small Hotels Conference included marketing and public relations, energy efficiency, safety and security, property enhancements, hospitality research and customer service. Discussions were led by expert panelists from both the Virgin Islands and abroad.
The customer service workshops were conducted by VI native and service expert Dr. Bryan Williams of BW Enterprise. The workshops focused on techniques to deliver world-class service by engaging customers in a consistent manner. “Anyone can decide to provide excellent service on any given day,” said Williams. “But providing world-class service requires a commitment to consistently giving excellent service at each and every opportunity,” he emphasized.
At the close of each workshop Williams led participants in the USVI customer service pledge. Virgin Islanders interested in taking the pledge can do so online at www.usviservicepledge.com or may contact the Department of Tourism.
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