Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 31, 2016 (SKNIS): The Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, said that it is important for persons within the tourism sector, as well as citizens and residents in general to practice exceptional customer service as it enhances the tourism product.
During his address to commence Tourism Awareness Month 2016, starting Tuesday, November 01, the tourism minister described Kittitians and Nevisians as naturally friendly and helpful and said such attributes are of paramount importance.
“This is extremely important, because how we treat our guests impacts on the success of our tourism industry. A simple smile, or a greeting, can go a long way in making our visitors feel welcome in our country,” he said. “Our guests expect that we are a peaceful and that we are a safe country, and that our destination will provide for them a valuable and effective retreat from the daily stresses of the cities and towns from whence they would have originated. In exchange, our visitors are prepared to pay us for the value they receive and the personal enrichment that they feel during their visit.”
He explained that irrespective of tourists’ background or their motivation for travel, we as a people must always demonstrate that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are happy to be their hosts.
“That is why customer service of a very high standard is so important. Presently the St. Kitts Tourism Authority is embarking on a nation-wide programme to host customer service training for all our front line employees in the industry,” he said, while adding that waiters, taxi operators, tour guides, hair braiders and front desk staff provide services directly to the tourists. “In many ways these employees are central to a sustainable tourism industry, for they play a major role in affecting the experiences visitors have in St. Kitts and [Nevis].”
The tourism minister said the Federation continues to receive various awards for the product offered and the destination in general.
“During 2016, we were ranked in the top ten for the Best Islands in the World, Best Caribbean Vacations, Best Beach and Honeymoon Destination in the World, an Emerging Luxury Destinations for 2016, in addition to being ranked # 1 for Best Caribbean Honeymoons,” said Minister Grant. “In June of this year we celebrated with the St Kitts Music Festival family, its 20th Anniversary. To date, the reviews and media attention have been extraordinary. Even as we receive these accolades and awards, we constantly remind ourselves that there is always room for improvement. We cannot be complacent if we intend to remain competitive.”
Minister Grant encouraged all citizens and residents to always be proud of the tourism industry, as St. Kitts and Nevis is indeed the ideal vacation getaway.