CVB Builds on Success with Tourism Certification Program

(Courtesy of SPI Convention and Visitors Bureau)

In a recent SPI Business Roundtable hosted by Island Matters, the overarching theme of a consistent tourism experience echoed throughout the meeting. Painted Marlin General Manager Carlos Cantu highlighted making a vacation for tourists an orchestration of consistency between hotels, activities, and feeling welcomed.

“Hospitality in general goes a long way. They (tourists) do a little bit of everything. There should be consistency in the whole process,” said Cantu.

South Padre Island experienced tremendous tourism growth during the pandemic, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) plans to continue to build value to create an outstanding tourist experience for all.

The CVB currently offers a well-designed four-hour program that provides hospitality training to local businesses and their staff.

The program allows island employees to learn the value of hospitality and see what many employees often don’t see—the island through the eyes of a visitor.

First Half: Lecture

Hospitality affects the daily lives of individuals and often makes or breaks an experience.

During the first two hours, employees become well acquainted with each other via introductions and gain information about how easy it is to make good impressions on visitors and residents.

“The better formed you are, the better you can answer questions,” said CVB Marketing & Communications Specialist Mauricio Cervantes.

Provided information and contact info from CVB staff to attendees for the course.

A well-informed staff makes for well-informed visitors. When visitors are well informed, it is easier for them to spread what Operations & Services Manager Lori Moore says is the most effective form of marketing: Word of mouth. 

The program has pop quizzes for prices and a certification test before the tour.

Pictured: CVB Marketing & Communications Specialist Mauricio Cervantes conducting the lecture part of the program.

Second Half: Tour

The beach is not the only island attraction. The purpose of the two-hour tour is to showcase where people love to visit.

“When taking previous groups that have been here for multiple years, many if not all never visited the welcome sign, the SPI Birding, and Nature Center or Sea Turtle Inc.,” said Cervantes.

The in-person tour takes employees for a stroll down the entertainment district, SPI Birding and Nature Center, Sea Turtle Inc., the Art Business Incubator, and more.

Sightseeing, along with fellow island staff, builds a bond among businesses and equips employees to describe what the island has to offer.

CVB Senior Marketing & Communications Manager Teresa Rodriguez hopes businesses continue sending their staff with the goal of having an island full of Certified Tourism Advisors.

Isla Grande General Manager Daniel Sanchez commended the program during a CVAB meeting and thanked the department. “Thank you for providing this program. Most of my staff live in Los Fresnos and Brownsville and had not been to 80% of this island. They had no idea XYZ existed on this island.”

Birds eye view from the third floor of the Birding and Nature Center overlooking the bay.

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