Volunteers lend a hand in service award

Staff and volunteers at the Armidale Visitor Information Centre (VIC) are still sporting particularly large and welcoming smiles, after the centre was recognised for excellence in customer service at the Armidale Business Chamber Awards.

The small team claimed the Excellence in Customer Service – Hospitality category when the 2018 Awards were held on 10 August.

The award was fantastic reward for the hard work of staff and volunteers, as well as a number of adaptations to meet visitor demands and expectations, Council’s Program Leader – Tourism, Marketing & Events, Tony Broomfield, said.

“VIC management and staff have made a number of valuable changes to the centre and the services they provide, to incorporate the whole Armidale Regional Council area and adapt to the changing needs of people who come into the centre,” he said.

“Our very knowledgeable and friendly team of volunteers is also a very important factor in winning this award.

“Their great experience and enthusiasm for the region and its attractions are invaluable in encouraging visitors to get out and see all the things this region has to offer," he said.

“We have achieved our goals when visitors leave the centre excited and armed with information and personally planned itineraries ready to explore.”

Visitor Information Centre Manager Katrina George said changes at the centre included an Out & About with the Kids initiative, to cater for the increased number of families coming to the area, as well as tailored promotional materials for specialty tourism such as mountain biking, fishing and geology.

Staff and volunteers had also received additional training in quality customer service, complemented by familiarisation tours to give them an even greater understanding and appreciation of the region’s attractions.

“It’s one thing to have an enthusiastic and well-informed staff member promoting our attractions to visitors,” she said.

“There’s a further level of compelling authenticity when the information is provided by a passionate volunteer who is assisting at the VIC because of their love of the area.

“There is no way our VIC could provide the same level of service without the dedication and wisdom of our volunteers.”

Published on 23 Aug 2018