Steps to Success Takes a New Approach for Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach
Individual Guidance Sessions Help Local Hotels Develop Strategies to Grow International Visitation
IITA’s Inbound Insider Steps to Success™ (STS) program took a new approach in Punta Gorda, Florida, last week, providing participating hotels with individualized guidance designed to help them tap into the international inbound travel market.
Jennifer Ackerson, Principal of Alon Tourism Solutions and IITA’s lead trainer for the Steps to Success program, spent several days meeting one-on-one with hotel managers as part of Individual Guidance Sessions hosted by Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach.
Rather than bringing participants together for a traditional group training, this approach allowed Ackerson to focus on the specific needs, circumstances, and opportunities of each individual property. The sessions gave hotel managers an opportunity to strategize how they can work more effectively with IITA inbound operators and position their properties to attract international travelers.
A Customized Approach to International Inbound Travel
Every hotel has different products, markets, challenges, and opportunities. The STS Individual Guidance Sessions allowed participants to explore those nuances in a more focused setting.
Ackerson worked directly with hotel managers to help them consider their approach to the international inbound market, identify opportunities for working with inbound tour operators, and make informed decisions about where to invest their property’s time and resources.
Most importantly, the sessions focused on results and return on investment (ROI)—helping participants understand how their efforts can translate into increased international visitation and business.
Thank You to Our Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Participants
A special thank you to Visit Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach for hosting the sessions and supporting this innovative approach to Steps to Success. We also appreciate the following hotels for participating and investing in their international inbound strategy:
- Sunseeker Resort
- Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
- The Suites at Fishermen’s Village
- Manasota Key Resort
- Palm Island Resort
- Wyvern Luxury Hotel
Their participation demonstrates the growing interest among Punta Gorda-area hospitality businesses in attracting international visitors and building stronger relationships with the inbound travel trade.
Continuing the Steps to Success
The Punta Gorda Individual Guidance Sessions demonstrated that STS can be adapted to meet the needs of a destination and its individual businesses—whether through traditional group training or more customized, one-on-one guidance.
Learn more about the Inbound Insider Steps to Success program.
Interested in bringing Steps to Success to your destination? Contact IITA to learn how the program can help your tourism businesses develop stronger international inbound strategies and turn opportunity into measurable results.