Tourism workers to earn rewards for service

Written on the 13 April 2016 by Gold Coast PR Company Consulting Hall

Tourism and hospitality workers on the Gold Coast are set to be rewarded for good service.

Gold Coast Tourism Corporation and the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards are teaming up to promote better service at tourism destinations in the city.

The Be My Guest Service Award has been added to the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards, which are regarded as the city's most prestigious business honours.

Gold Coast Tourism, which is sponsoring the new category, was the driving force behind the new awards.

Michelle Stone, Director of Communications and Marketing Services for Gold Coast Tourism Corporation, said the awards were designed to provide rewards for the individual employees and their employers as well. "As the city head towards the Commonwealth Games in 2018, we want to help encourage our tourism and hospitality industry to go above and beyond to ensure our visitors enjoy the best possible experience of the Gold Coast,'' said Ms Stone.

"The Be My Guest Service awards will recognise people and businesses who deliver superior service to customers and who help present the Gold Coast in the best possible light to locals and visitors alike."

Each year six winners will be presented with an award and a gift card at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards' ceremonies between May and October. An annual winner will also be named at the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards' gala dinner in November. 

The Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards, which are turning 21 this year, is a non-for-profit awards program that is designed to reward and promote the city's corporate achievements.

Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards' president Ian Cousins said he welcomed the partnership with Gold Coast Tourism. "The Be My Guest Service Award will be a very exciting addition to the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards and one which will be open to the wider public rather just to the owners and operators of businesses,'' said Mr Cousins.

"People who have had an amazing customer service experience can nominate people for the awards via our website while business owners will also be able to nominate their employees for the awards."

Mr Cousins said the awards were growing from strength to strength and it was a pleasure to be partnering with Gold Coast Tourism.

"A lot of Gold Coast's most successful local businesses are realising the value of both winning the awards and sponsoring them.

"As well as Gold Coast Tourism, we now have local businesses such as Choice Homes, Pindara Private Hospital, OntheNet, Griffith University and Flight Centre Business Travel all throwing their support behind the awards."

Mr Cousins said the awards were run by a not-for-profit organisation and entry to the awards was free for all business owners.

"Without the support of our sponsors we could not run what is a very special event for the business community,'' he said.

The awards' major sponsors include City of Gold Coast; Suncorp Bank; Department of Industry, Innovation and Science; Regional Development Australia Gold Coast; Flight Centre Business Travel; Choice Homes; OntheNet; Griffith University; Gold Coast Airport; Gold Coast Tourism Corporation and Pindara Private Hospital.

The awards' media sponsors include the Gold Coast Bulletin, NBN Television, 92.5 Gold FM and 90.9 Sea FM.

The GCBEA's major supporters are KPMG,SMART McCann Worldgroup, Document Solutions Australia, Bloomtools, Consulting Hall, Jupiters Gold Coast, Regina King Photography, Bruce Lynton BMW, Land Rover and Jaguar, Bond University, Gold Coast Suns, Dreamweavers.