ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. – The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA), thanks to a grant from the Alabama Tourism Department, will continue to coordinate hospitality training sessions designed to stimulate sustainable tourism, economic development, and community growth with an upcoming training program in Alexander City.
Known as the Flawless Delivery Hospitality Certification, the next training sessions are scheduled for Alex City at the Lake Martin Innovation Center next Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 12-13.
“If visitors have exceptional hospitality service in our state, they are likely to return and support more businesses, becoming the catalysts for sustainable tourism development and economic growth in Alabama,” said Pam Swanner, ALBBAA director.
Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Tourism Department approved funding for the program, which allows ALBBAA to partner with The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, Holistic Performance Group, and Experience Consulting to conduct the training sessions.
“In Alabama, we prioritize developing a highly skilled workforce,” Gov. Ivey said. “The Flawless Delivery Hospitality Certification will lay the groundwork for workers to gain the skills necessary to attract, retain, and grow tourism in our state.”
The Flawless Delivery Hospitality Certification program was developed for the lodging industry and will provide hospitality workers with experiential training and skills to elevate every visitor’s experience.
The training will feature instruction aimed at the specific needs of each business and geographical location.
“We are very blessed by the opportunity that the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association and the Alabama Tourism Department is giving to our local lodging employees in the Lake Martin area,” Brandy Hastings, director of the Lake Martin Tourism Association, expressed. “This training will elevate the level of professionalism that is already shown to our visitors.”
According to the Alabama Tourism Department 2021 Economic Impact Study, over 8.6 million people visited the state last year.