Photo / Courtesy, Maine Tourism Association
Tony Cameron, left, and Jane Anderson, right, present Beth Whitney with a travel counselor certification at the Maine State Visitor Information Center in Yarmouth.
Updated: September 5, 2024
Maine Tourism Association launches program to train, certify travel counselors
Photo / Courtesy, Maine Tourism Association
Jane Anderson, far left, and Tony Cameron, far right, present certifications to Eva Johnson and Kathryn Hamlyn at the Maine State Visitor Information Center in Fryeburg.
The Maine Tourism Association has graduated the first class of its Travel Counselor Certification Program, which was introduced in May and requires passing a rigorous 100-question exam.
The state’s first such program, it enrolled staffers for the Maine State Visitor Information Centers. The program has been endorsed by the U.S. Travel Association and the National Council of State Tourism Directors.
The exam covers topics that range from customer service to Maine’s geography, history and culture.
“These certifications are not just a badge of honor; they represent Maine’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and ensuring every visitor has an unforgettable experience,” said Tony Cameron, CEO of the Maine Tourism Association.
Among the inaugural honorees were Eva Johnson from the Maine Visitor Information Center in Fryeburg and Beth Whitney from the center in Yarmouth.
Whitney said the certification program has broadened her working knowledge of Maine.
“Achieving this certification not only raises the bar for visitor service but also reflects our deep pride in showcasing the best of Maine,” said Whitney.
Jane Anderson, MTA’s director of visitor services, created the training and certification program. The program, she said, is designed to prepare visitor information center staff with information, with the goal of enticing visitors to stay longer, explore more and return to Maine.
Ultimately, she added, the visitor experience benefits tourism businesses.
MTA, based in Hallowell, has over 1,400 members, including lodging, restaurants, retail, outdoor recreation, guides, tour operators, amusements and cultural and historical attractions. It operates the seven Maine State Visitor Information Centers from Kittery to Calais on behalf of the state of Maine, and annually produces the state’s official travel planner, Maine Invites You.
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