"This was a phenomenal year, and we're very optimistic that these kinds of numbers will again show strength in 2007," said Nancy Nayudu, board chairwoman for the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau, describing the activity at the Visitor Information Center in 2006.
With a nearly 40 percent increase in foot traffic through the front door of the center, visitors came to the gather information and get the one-on-one service that can not be found on the bureau's website. Although the website generated 383,915 visitor sessions and amassed more than 1.3 million page views, it is still clear that the personal contact does what electronic connectivity cannot achieve.
"We couldn't knock off numbers like that if it weren't for our Hospitality Ambassadors," Nayudu said. "I know that their achievements have been written about in the past, with special note of the highly successful and seasonal beach chair ambassador program that provides informational outreach beyond the center."
To break it down and show the importance of our Visitor Information Center ambassadors, consider that in 2006, there were 956 volunteer shifts that produced 2,831 hours. This would equate to $42,465 if the bureau had to pay for these services. Add on to that the fact that ambassadors responded to 3,252 email requests, 539 letters, answered 3,507 phone calls and provided 1,831 lodging referrals and 2,265 supplier referrals (retail, dining, attractions, etc.). They also processed 13,766 direct advertising leads that were a big part of the 16,444 visitor guides that were mailed. And, somewhere in that process, many hands helped to label and stuff each envelope, seal and stamp for mailing. This is done seven days a week and with a roster of 30 dedicated volunteers.
"I found it interesting when I recently heard from a hotelier that perhaps we didn't need to have a visitors center and that it seemed perhaps this kind of interactive visitor experience is not cost-effective," said Patrick Fearn, past CVB Board Chair.
City councilwoman Norine Sigafoose agreed.
"With all there is to do in Carlsbad and in the surrounding communities, having our visitor center is critically important. It's a 'no-brainer,'" Sigafoose said.
The ambassadors seem to agree, as they work the phones, respond to requests and help to get the good word out about Carlsbad.
Kudos to our Hospitality Ambassadors.
With a nearly 40 percent increase in foot traffic through the front door of the center, visitors came to the gather information and get the one-on-one service that can not be found on the bureau's website. Although the website generated 383,915 visitor sessions and amassed more than 1.3 million page views, it is still clear that the personal contact does what electronic connectivity cannot achieve.
"We couldn't knock off numbers like that if it weren't for our Hospitality Ambassadors," Nayudu said. "I know that their achievements have been written about in the past, with special note of the highly successful and seasonal beach chair ambassador program that provides informational outreach beyond the center."
To break it down and show the importance of our Visitor Information Center ambassadors, consider that in 2006, there were 956 volunteer shifts that produced 2,831 hours. This would equate to $42,465 if the bureau had to pay for these services. Add on to that the fact that ambassadors responded to 3,252 email requests, 539 letters, answered 3,507 phone calls and provided 1,831 lodging referrals and 2,265 supplier referrals (retail, dining, attractions, etc.). They also processed 13,766 direct advertising leads that were a big part of the 16,444 visitor guides that were mailed. And, somewhere in that process, many hands helped to label and stuff each envelope, seal and stamp for mailing. This is done seven days a week and with a roster of 30 dedicated volunteers.
"I found it interesting when I recently heard from a hotelier that perhaps we didn't need to have a visitors center and that it seemed perhaps this kind of interactive visitor experience is not cost-effective," said Patrick Fearn, past CVB Board Chair.
City councilwoman Norine Sigafoose agreed.
"With all there is to do in Carlsbad and in the surrounding communities, having our visitor center is critically important. It's a 'no-brainer,'" Sigafoose said.
The ambassadors seem to agree, as they work the phones, respond to requests and help to get the good word out about Carlsbad.
Kudos to our Hospitality Ambassadors.