With tourism numbers hitting record numbers and a development boom continuing with no end in sight, perhaps one couldn’t blame the booming destination of San Francisco for resting on its laurels.
But with visitor arrivals always an integral part of its economy, the City By the Bay is seizing the opportunity to keep its service levels superb by launching a program to train hospitality industry workers to be front and center when interacting with the drivers of its key money-maker.
The My SF program, which trains front-line tourism workers in the art of dealing with visitors, was rolled out in November to keep the splashy tier-one destination on its toes.
“Everyone who comes in contact with visitors can make a difference, whether it’s at a hotel or restaurant, on a tour bus or in a store,”said Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel, the city’s CVB. “Increased visitor satisfaction can lead to positive economic impact through longer stays, repeat visits and word-of-mouth promotion.”
The one-hour online course, offered in partnership with training company Learn It!, schools participants on how to field questions regarding topics that include transportation, directions to top attractions, restaurant suggestions, and even touchy “big city” topics such as homelessness.
The training costs $19.95, with discounts for volume.