Tampa International (TPA) has opened four visitor information centers as part of its new Volunteer Ambassador Program.
The centers, in the airport’s baggage-claim areas, opened July 16 and are one facet of the $30M Main Terminal Modernization project. They will be staffed by volunteers every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Since the centers’ opening, more than 89 volunteers have helped more than 3,300 passengers, offering information on shuttles, rental cars, restrooms and airlines. Many of the volunteers are multi-lingual.
“We have assembled an amazing group of people who are excited about working with the public and welcoming visitors to the Tampa Bay area,” says Chris Minner, TPA’s vice president of marketing. “They all have knowledge, experiences and talents that will benefit our guests and become a reflection of a region that wants visitors to feel welcome as soon as they arrive.”
An orientation program trained the volunteers about the airport and how to answer common questions from arriving passengers. The local tourism agencies, Tampa Bay and Co. and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, also told them about points of interest around the area.
In exchange for their assistance, volunteers will be invited to “thank you” events and receive free airport parking all year as long as they remain active in the program.
“All we ask for is a positive attitude and genuine interest in helping the customers,” says Kari Goetz, manager of the Volunteer Ambassador Program. “So many of our volunteers are travelers themselves and they have benefited from volunteers at other airports. It’s going to be great to see them return the favor.”
