Businesses in the Whiteface Region will be the first to sport a new Forever Adirondack Quality Assurance Logo in the coming months. The region is leading the county in a progressive Quality Assurance initiative that aims to increase consumer confidence in area businesses and enhance the brand of the region as a competitive visitor destination.
The overall objective of this program is to promote a “Quality Assurance Destination” seal and logo for the area that will guarantee potential visitors that properties meet specific standards of quality. The logo will be used in print and Internet listings and will be displayed at individual participating properties that meet those standards.
As they are conducting their travel research, consumers are increasingly drawn to branded, or chain affiliate properties (Hampton Inns, etc.), because the quality of the property is standardized, and they know what to expect when they arrive. “Our region only has independent hospitality businesses,” said Bert Yost, President of the Whiteface Regional Visitors Bureau. “An accepted, certified seal of quality will provide the customer with a sense of security and encourage them to plan their vacation here.”
The program, sponsored by the Town of Wilmington, the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau and the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, will be conducted by industry experts, Hospitality Performance, Inc. (HPI). HPI assists hospitality operators in improving their product, polishing their image and becoming more profitable. They will be in the area from June 13th through the 17th to conduct the program.
The Quality Assurance Program begins with an evaluation of the region’s properties from a visitor’s point of view, assessing quality standards of cleanliness, safety and security, comfort, customer service and overall physical condition of the facility/business. Participating businesses will be provided with a completely confidential report that will show them how their business compares to national standards as well as professional recommendations for continual improvement to their operation.
Jeanne Ashworth, Town of Wilmington Supervisor, is confident that the program will boost the region’s tourism potential. “It is essential that the entire business community in our region takes advantage of this program. Not only will it provide a mechanism for individual businesses to promote and improve their quality offerings to the traveling public, it will also help to define the steps that we need to take to give Wilmington a competitive edge, and ultimately, become a successful stand-alone destination.”
Businesses in Wilmington, Jay, and Upper Jay that are interested in participating in this program should contact the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau by June 1 at 518-946-2255, or complete the online form in the “living here” section of www.whitefaceregion.com.
Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
