THUNDER BAY – Local business operators are on the road today gaining an expanded knowledge of local businesses and attactions for tourists. Thunder Bay’s manager of tourism, Paul Pepe states, “Tourism Thunder Bay is helping tourism’s front line professionals discover Thunder Bay in a whole new way. The Tourism Division of the City, in partnership with the Prince Arthur Hotel and Lake Superior Visits, is providing a one day tour on Thursday May 27th of the city’s main attractions to educate visitor centre, hotel front desk, restaurant and tourism related retail partners”.
Often for visitors to our community the frontline staff are the faces they remember. The help, ideas and positive energy of those front line tourism professionals in hotels, visitor centers, gas stations and restaurants play an important role in promoting the City’s attractions and events to visitors who come into their businesses and often ask questions about what to see and do.
“Giving them the knowledge of all there is to see and do helps improve the visitor experience. The tour builds awareness and pride among the tourism professionals and allows them to network with each other. To sell Thunder Bay to the world, we have to start by selling it to ourselves,” states Pepe.
The day long motor coach tour, started at 8:30 AM at the Terry Fox Visitor Centre and will wind its way through the city exploring the communities major attractions and hidden gems.
Lois Nuttal of Lake Superior Visits, a local tour operator, will share stories, legends and other information with the tour participants that reveal the diverse fabric of our culture and our connection to our natural environment.
Lunch is sponsored by the Prince Arthur Hotel and ABC Embroidery is providing “Thunder Bay bucket list” tote bags. Given the overwhelming interest by the industry with this tour, Tourism Thunder Bay is considering additional opportunities to repeat the educational program throughout the spring.