SPOKANE, WA, August 21, 2012 - The hospitality firm headquartered in downtown Spokane,  FairBridge Hotels International, announced expanded training standards to include tourism ambassador certifications for front of house employees. For employees at the Spokane FairBridge Inn Express and even employees in the corporate offices, this means encouragement to attain the Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA designation) from the Tourism Ambassador Institute through Visit Spokane.

“We are so impressed by the content of the CTA course that we’re recommending it for all front desk agents in the cities where it’s available,” said Frederick Schoener, director of brand operations. “Anything that gives FairBridge an advantage while also improving tourism service standards for the destination as a whole gets our support.”

Relationship revenue manager, Skyler Reep, was the first FairBridge employee to attain his CTA certification. “Although my direct hotel guest contact is limited, I found the advanced customer service training to be incredibly relevant to anyone in the service sector,” says Reep. “Particularly impressive was the depth of detail about what makes the local market special to our guests. I would love to stay at a hotel that employs CTAs at the front line.” Reep is also currently studying to become a Certified Hotel Revenue Manager (CHRM) through the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Educational Institute (AHLEI).

CTA literature explains, “The Certified Tourism Ambassador Program is a groundbreaking nationwide certification program for frontline workers and volunteers.  Accredited and licensed through the Tourism Ambassador Institute, the CTA Program is a certification program that goes well beyond basic customer service training.  It is designed as a lasting program that mobilizes a destination's front line toward the goal of turning every visitor encounter into a positive experience.”

About FairBridge Hotels International
FairBridge Hotels brand offers a customized model and flex-concept approach as an alternative to the traditional franchise method by allowing operators to join a membership organization that offers the affiliate members a unique, vibrant, and dynamic brand identity with complete back-end operational support without having to assume any of the complex burdens of hotel franchise relationships. FairBridge offers the flex-concept membership-based affiliation, a flat-rate fee system “that operators prefer over the traditional outdated and expensive franchise model,” says Fredrick Schoener, Director of Brand Operations. The complete suite of offerings from FairBridge spans across all major hospitality industry segments. For more information about FairBridge Hotels International, see www.fairbridgeinns.com/membership/.