Thurston Tourism Ambassadors (CTA)

The Thurston Tourism Ambassador Program teaches hospitality professionals and community members best practices and ensures that they understand their important role in increasing tourism.

What is the Thurston Tourism Ambassador Program?

The Thurston Tourism Ambassador Program teaches hospitality professionals and community members best practices and ensures that they understand their important role in increasing tourism.

The Thurston Tourism Ambassador Program is not a class. It’s a training for a nationally-recognized certification. Individuals who complete the program are called Certified Tourism Ambassadors (CTAs.) The program has a multi-faceted curriculum that serves to increase tourism by inspiring hospitality professionals and community members to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience. CTAs learn about what there is to see and do in Thurston County and experience these places first-hand so that they can refer not only visitors but their own customers, friends and family to them. Tourism starts with positive word-of-mouth!

Upcoming Classes:

Thursday, June 29, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Olympia

Thursday, September 14, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Indian Summer Golf & Country Club, Olympia

Stay tuned for our additional 2023 classes!

For Employers

Tourism is big business in communities both big and small. Visitors spend money attending to business, touring attractions or learning about the history of the area. This infusion of “new money” into the local economy often keeps local tax increases at bay and gives extra money to enhance its infrastructure – making the destination more appealing over time. As a result, destinations spend lots of money courting conference and leisure travelers.

But in reality, no amount of money will make up for the visitor having a bad experience, which not only negatively impacts your business, but also negatively impacts our region’s brand and overall image! If you want better sales and service results from your team, empower them as CTAs!

Not ready to send your team through the program? You can still support current CTAs in their effort to grow their knowledge of the region. CTAs are more likely to refer their friends, family and customers to businesses that they have experienced. If you’d like to offer CTAs a perk to come check out your product or service, complete our Concierge “Freebies & Discounts” form below. Qualified businesses will be listed on the CTA website (accessible only to CTAs) so that they can download a coupon and come visit you. We are accepting offers for free or 2 for 1 admission, a gift with purchase or a minimum of a 50% discount off of products or services with any restrictions that you’d like.

[ CONCIERGE "FREEBIES & DISCOUNTS" ]

For Employees

Depending on their industry, many CTAs report receiving higher tips and other career advancement opportunities as a result of the training. In addition to having the prestigious CTA designation after their names on official communication and business cards, all CTAs receive a lapel pin and are enrolled in the Concierge Freebies & Discounts program offering free or reduced admission at select attractions and discounts at local restaurants.