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Focus on tourism at BIA annual meeting Tourism and ways to improve it was the theme during the Renfrew Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual general meeting at Coco JarryĘźs March 14. Addressing the board were Stephanie Hessel, tourist director and industry relations coordinator of the Ontario Highlands Tourism Organization, and Chris Hinsperger, chair of the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association and owner of Bonnechere Caves. Hessel spoke about the importance of customer service “We really want to promote our region,â€? Hessel said. “Part of that is really encouraging our tourism businesses to provide excellent customer service experiences. “That includes everything from being tourism ambassadors, welcoming people to their businesses and in-
viting people to come back, all the way down to making sure that you are knowledgeable about the region, things there are to see and do,â€? she said. “We talk about how we can do that through our program called the Ovation Customer Service Designation Program.â€? Hinsperger said speaking to other people looking to promote the community beneďŹ ts all. “ItĘźs a wonderful opportunity to talk to likeminded people; people in business, about connecting what they do with tourism, because tourism affects us all,â€? Hinsperger said. He said some people might not see themselves as a tourism business, but in the Ottawa Valley, with an industry like tourism that is growing when other industries arenĘźt, whatever way you can connect to the tourism dollar is going to be a beneďŹ t to
your business. “I want to talk to people about that,â€? Hinsperger said. The Bonnechere Caves owner said 2012 was a good year, but the need to continue the upswing is paramount. “I had a good year last year and thereĘźs lots of things happening at our direct marketing organization level, the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association. “We are partnering with the Ontario Highlands Tourist Organization to get more programs that will make us better at customer service. “WeĘźll do packaging workshops so that people from outside the area know what weĘźre about, and will make the decision to come and visit us, and perhaps spend a few dollars.â€? Hinsperger said when running a business, always talk to your customers and make them feel welcome.
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Stephanie Hessel and Chris Hinsperger address the Renfrew BIA on tourism at Coco Jarry’s March 14.
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