Don't make jokes about other nationalities, don't talk politics and don't forget to smile are just some of the tips given to retailers in advance of the forthcoming cruise ship season.
The arrival of the Sapphire Princess on Tuesday heralds the start of Dunedin's largest cruise ship season, with retailers and residents urged to maintain the city's reputation as one of the country's friendliest destinations.
Yesterday, at a meeting to discuss cruise ship logistics, participants were given a copy of the top 12 tips for retailers, prepared by the Dunedin City Council in conjunction with the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Dunedin Host and Tourism Dunedin.
Council economic development unit destination management business development adviser Sophie Barker said the tips recognised the importance of the burgeoning cruise ship industry to the Dunedin economy.
"Making them [cruise ship passengers] feel welcome is one of the most important things and give [them] a great impression of the city," she saidFeedback from cruise ship passengers indicated the city was one of the friendliest in the country, but more could be done to ensure those visitors returned.
Ms Barker said residents were also important ambassadors for the city, and "most residents are really great".
"But we can always do better."
Also receiving tips on how to deal with cruise ship passengers, were a dozen traffic and management control employees at a special seminar at the Otago Chamber of Commerce organised by the council's business development unit.
Vanessa Hockaday, of VJH Business Training, said every business would be well advised to have a policy on how to greet people, rather than the often used "how is your day going?".
Staff should be well presented and professional at all times, and engage with passengers.
Traffic and management control staff were given tips on how to greet and assist passengers.
