Cruise West has set new standards for its guest in the “Great Land” as all of their trademark land-based Exploration Leaders and land-tour drivers in Alaska recently completed the…
Cruise West has set new standards for its guest in the “Great Land” as all of their trademark land-based Exploration Leaders and land-tour drivers in Alaska recently completed the National Association of Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course.
The program gives these guides the tools to improve the interpretive education and experience obtained on the land tours, providing added value and a more meaningful connection to the region for those guests who travel with Cruise West on any Alaska adventure.
The 32-hour course trains guides in the basics of theme-based presentations, improving skills to tailor lectures to different audiences and respond to questions. Guides learn to construct tours to make the excursion enjoyable, relevant, organized and thematic. This certification enables Cruise West guides to emotionally and intellectually connect guests to the area that they are visiting within Alaska, while continuing to respect the biodiversity and cultural diversity of the regions.
“Cruise West strives to provide guests with meaningful and inspiring journeys,” said John Kreilkamp, VP Alaska Land. “We believe that the CIG certification is necessary to truly educate and connect guests with the vast regions of Alaska.”
Cruise West continues to invest in tour enhancement and interpretation. The Exploration Leaders and managers have trained with the National Association of Interpretation (NAI) for five years.
Cruise West’s Southeast Regional Manager Larry Johansen completed CIG training and the “Train the Trainer” course. Special guest speakers are also integrated in Cruise West land tours in various communities throughout Alaska. At Denali National Park and Preserve, through the Denali Foundation, Cruise West guests hear an exclusive presentation by a park naturalist, resulting in a better understanding of the second largest national park in the country.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
