Become a Certified Tourism Ambassador in Flint & Genesee

After living in an area for a while, you can start to feel as if you know everything—where to go, what to eat, and what to do—but you might be missing out on more than you can imagine.

For Certified Tourism Ambassadors (CTAs), the Flint & Genesee region is full of adventure and opportunity if you know where to look. The CTA program both supports and encourages members to seek out and support the amenities the area offers. The program is overseen locally by Explore Flint & Genesee, the local Convention and Visitors Bureau. Certified Tourist Ambassadors are trained locally and certified through a national agency. Just like the name implies, CTAs serve as ambassadors for Flint & Genesee.

CTAs are both a welcome wagon and a knowledge base. The program activates local professionals to further engage them with the community and helps build their service skills along the way. CTAs also help people who are either new to an area or unfamiliar with its amenities discover the information they need to get the most out of their visit or their day-to-day life.

The CTA program began locally in 2016 and applicants to the program are drawn to it due to their commitment to the area and to encouraging others to explore what there is to experience.

Program registrants receive a binder with information specific to Flint & Genesee that gives a history of the area, information about the attractions, and ways to help people who may need information or directions. The half-day class serves as training for how to be a tourism ambassador and is a refresher and expansion of what was read to give it practical application. At the end, those who pass the CTA test earn the industry-recognized certification.

Classes are facilitated by active CTA community members, offering participants insight into how the program has helped them in their careers and personal lives. Participants learn some of the area's rich history and leave with a better understanding of all Genesee County has to offer. CTA classes offer the opportunity to learn from and connect with people across the community.

With the help of their training, CTAs become part of a network of professionals who are now helping to spread the message of how special Flint & Genesee is and inspire others to want to experience the region for themselves. CTAs are beacons for the area that let people know about the beloved landmarks and the hidden gems that visitors need to see.

Becoming a CTA galvanizes passionate professionals and brings them into a growing network of cheerleaders for Flint & Genesee. CTAs put their knowledge of the area and its history and attractions to work for them in their careers and as members of the community. CTAs become invaluable assets in telling the story of our area and reminding people of the beauty and wonder of Flint & Genesee.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, you can head to the Explore Flint & Genesee/CTA for more information.