Visit Loudoun trains 500 certified tourism ambassadors over five-year program
Times-Mirror Staff Report -
Five years after launching its Certified Tourism Ambassador Program, Visit Loudoun has trained its 500th CTA member, according to a news release.
The Loudoun CTA program is a series of classes that highlight the county as a welcoming destination.
It is designed to train hospitality professionals, volunteers and residents to answer questions, recommend attractions and create outstanding visitor experiences, the release states.
Upon completion of the certification, participants become part of the Loudoun CTA community. It includes lunch and webinars about local attractions, educational visits to sites such as Oatlands and Dodona Manor, and networking opportunities at breweries, wineries and popular events such as Polo in the Park and the Tarara Summer Concert Series.
CTAs also get discounts at local businesses and attractions, encouraging them to experience it themselves to better share with visitors.
“500 CTAs to me is a great sign of success and the fact that our partners cite it so often is indicative of that,” Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson said in a statement. “The program equips our frontline employees with a deeper knowledge of Loudoun and all the rich experiences and they in turn get to make recommendations that truly enhance the visitor experience.”
Developed by the Tourism Ambassador Institute, the international CTA program was launched in 2006. Since then, more than 60,000 individuals have been certified in the United States and Bermuda.
The 500th Loudoun CTA milestone coincided with the release of Visit Loudoun’s new three-year strategic plan "Elevate Loudoun: A Bold Roadmap for Strengthening Loudoun's Visitor Economy," which extends the DC's Wine Country brand while inspiring more overnight stays and ensuring tourism benefits to all Loudoun communities.