Kellogg Community College students become Certified Tourism Ambassadors
Seven Sports Management students have been granted a special designation from the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau as Certified Tourism Ambassadors to learn about the ability of local sports to attract visitors and contribute to economic growth in the area.
The Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) certification program was offered by the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau through Kellogg Community College's Introduction to Sports Management course. The certification has now been made a requirement to graduate from the college's Associate of Applied Science in Sports Management degree. The CTA program includes lessons in the history and culture of Calhoun County and the importance of sports in encouraging tourists to visit the area.
The program gives students access to networking opportunities and other resources, according to a news release from KCC. CEO of the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau, Linda Freybler, said that the certification program helps both the students and her organization: "The partnership allows students to learn more about the industry and their community, and we gain new ambassadors for our community and some potential future candidates for tourism jobs."
Physical Education Coordinator at KCC, Eierí Jordán-Salivia, emphasized the impact of sports tourism on local economies. "Sports tourism is a big segment of the sport industry because of the economic impact it causes. Through tourism, sports in our county can leverage their value by providing permanent and seasonal jobs, helping the positive cash flow of our community, attracting investments to the area, improving quality of life for residents and visitors, and above all, inspiring local entrepreneurship."
Parker Wilson, KCC student and baseball player, was in the first group of students to earn the CTA certification. Reflecting on the experience, he said that he expects the certification to help him when he is ready to start his career: "When people visiting Battle Creek ask me questions, they will take me more seriously with tourism advice. And it will help me professionally by meeting new people at networking events."