And you thought China was the only place you could find a polite cab driver these days.
Etiquette 101 has moved to Denver, Colorado… just in time for the Democratic National Convention. The political extravaganza kicks off in the Mile-High City on August 25th and the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau is doing everything it can to spruce up the place before millions of visitors converge on the area.
As the clock ticks down to the start of the convention the tourism group is madly trying to complete training of more than 2,500 taxi drivers, front-desk hotel employees, restaurant workers and airport employees. Each is being taught to “Go the EXTRA Mile” in hospitality.
The “EXTRA Mile” theme is the focus of one-hour sessions, which hospitality workers are mandated to attend. In the workshop workers learn how to properly greet guests, listen to concerns, provide tips on where to go and what to eat, ask if there is anything more a guest needs, and speak about what makes Denver great.
For example, porters at various downtown Denver hotels are being told to tout the area’s fantastic weather (300 days of sunshine a year) and outdoor offerings (golfing at Christmas and skiing on Mother’s Day). The Visitors Bureau’s goal is to get guests to view Denver as the friendliest city in the United States. What’s more, they want to win over tourists with their hospitality so they will return for future visits.
The DNC is also having as many as 6,000 convention volunteers take the “EXTRA Mile” workshop in an effort to get them up to speed on proper etiquette. Volunteers will learn how to politely interact with convention guests and provide as much information about the city as possible.
And Visitor Bureau execs say if you are in Denver later this month don’t be shocked if you go your entire trip without touching a single door handle. Hospitality workers are being taught to open doors for all visitors whether they are coming or going.
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