Miami Beach takes hospitality service to new heights with comprehensive city-wide training

The city to receive coveted Forbes Travel Guide Hospitality Service Training Certification

News provided by

Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority

Jul 18, 2017, 12:06 ET

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., July 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Miami Beach takes serving its guests seriously…really seriously. Miami Beach is like no other place in the world and is dedicated to making its service a major point of distinction; that's why the entire tourism and hospitality community will meet for the largest ever interactive Hospitality Service Training led by Forbes Travel Guide, the prestigious Five-Star Rating system and global authority on luxury travel. After the intensive day of sessions, Miami Beach will become only the second city in the U.S. to ever receive a Forbes Travel Guide Hospitality Service Training Certification. The city of Miami Beach, ranked as one of the Top 25 Destinations in the U.S., along with the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) and the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA) are partnering with Forbes Travel Guide to conduct the training.

The City of Miami Beach will host a Forbes Travel Guide Certification training event to give restaurant and hotel employees access to leading experts in the travel and hospitality field in support of making guest service a major point of distinction for the destination. The certification will add yet another layer to Miami Beach’s already outstanding hospitality services, where hotels, restaurants and entertainment providers are always striving to enhance the guest experience.

As the originator of the Five-Star Rating system – beginning in 1958 as the Mobil Travel Guide – Forbes Travel Guide provides the travel industry's most comprehensive ratings system in the world, along with reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas. A Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating is considered the hospitality industry's most prestigious achievement. Going far beyond aesthetics, it places a large emphasis on quality of service. This certification will add yet another layer to Miami Beach's already outstanding hospitality services, where hotels, restaurants and entertainment providers are always striving to enhance and augment the guest experience.

"The Forbes Travel Guide Hospitality Service Training Certification is internationally recognized and highly esteemed. We intend to bring a higher level of service to Miami Beach, set new standards and continue to exceed hospitality expectations," says Peggy Benua, Chair of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. "With events like Miami Spice Month and Art Basel around the corner, the training comes at the perfect time to renew, energize and revitalize our hospitality industry. Our hospitality partners have always brought best practices and passion to what they do and The Forbes Travel Guide training just brightens the diamond that is Miami Beach".

Focused on providing front line personnel in hospitality-focused businesses such as hotels, restaurants, attractions, and tour companies with professional guidelines and tailored teachings, the day-long event will be broken into four unique sessions that will highlight the Miami Beach customer satisfaction experience. Led by a hand-selected group of travel experts, tastemakers and Forbes Travel Guide instructors, the event is open to property owners as well.

"The commitment from the City of Miami Beach is a testament to the passion of all of its tourism industry members to deliver extraordinary hospitality to each and every visitor. The city has been a beloved destination for decades and this commitment to elevating, expanding and ultimately delivering exceptional service to its visitors, is all part of Miami Beach's longstanding tradition of renewal," said Gerard J. Inzerillo, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. "On a personal note, this area holds a special place in my heart. I worked at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in 1978, in the formative stages of my hospitality career and am delighted that Forbes Travel Guide can come to this great city to help it achieve service excellence."

For more information on events and updates in Miami Beach, download the Miami Beach Information App at www.miamibeachapi.com/app/.

ABOUT FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE
Forbes Travel Guide is the originator of the prestigious Five-Star Rating system, and has provided the travel industry's most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against up to 800 rigorous and objective standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions. Forbes Travel Guide is the most prestigious standard for luxury hospitality worldwide. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, visit www.forbestravelguide.com.

ABOUT MIAMI BEACH
Recently named the World's Leading City Tourist Board in 2016 and 2016 North America's Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards, first place in the 2017 and 2016 edition of the Travvy Awards, presented by travAlliancemedia in the categories of "Best LGBTQ Destination" and "Best Wedding Destination, U.S. & Canada" and a winner in the 2014, 2015 and 2016 Magellan Awards by Travel Weekly in the categories of "Destinations | Mobile App", "Overall Spa Destinations| U.S and Canada" and "Overall Beaches Destinations| U.S and Canada" respectively, Miami Beach is a favorite destination among travelers worldwide. Renowned for its unparalleled culinary offerings, extravagant nightlife, rich culture, luxe shopping and plush hotels, Miami Beach is home to unique museums, the New World Symphony, Miami City Ballet, Miami Beach Convention Center, international festivals and art exhibitions, boat and auto shows, over 187 boutique and resort hotels and 12 public parks; it is no wonder the beautifully diverse city is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations. Boasting seven miles of breathtaking beaches, Miami Beach is easily accessible from the Port of Miami and Miami International Airport. The City of Miami Beach has been named one of the top cities worldwide for 'walkability' and is equally easy to navigate by bike or boat. Known for its year-round sunny skies, the vibrant destination has been ranked by TripAdvisor as a Top Winter Sun Vacation Rental Getaway Destinations, Top Romantic Destinations, Top 25 Beaches in the World and Top 25 Destinations in the U.S. Miami Beach is like no other place in the world!