In any city around the world, it is easy to find reviews for restaurants regarding the food and decor. It is very difficult, outside of seeking local public forums, to find information about the service at supposed "service industry" businesses.
I've traveled through much of the US, often as a lone diner or patron. I've seen incredible service, and I've been treated as gum on the bottom of a shoe.
Credit where credit is due - the great, the good and the ugly!
During a recent visit through Ontario, we stopped at the Barrie, ON location of the Ministry of Tourism. I know that the job description probably includes all of the services we received, but the feeling of “above the call of duty” rang loud and clear.
This is not the first time we have been surprised with assistance at a rest area/tourism center. As this travel assistance is so lacking in many states I have traveled in, it is always a welcome experience. While many states stock their rest areas with pamphlets about tourist activities, very few staff the facilities with knowledgeable, caring people.
Admittedly, Barrie, ON is considered the gateway to Ontario’s “Cottage Country”. This is one of those locations in which a knowledgeable staff is necessary. The wide array of material available would have helped us, and we did find discount coupons for a Niagara Falls attraction we wished to visit.
The Barrie, ON Ministry of Tourism staff members are available to assist travelers with lodging reservations, directions and general information. We intended to stay overnight at Niagara Falls, preferably at a casino, for one night. The staffer phoned our preferred casino, learning that there were no rooms available. She then phoned an adjacent hotel and made the reservations for us.
I also witnessed another staff member advising a Toronto-bound traveler of the availability of public transportation in that city’s downtown area. Having had a horrible experience driving through Toronto, I chimed in with my own desire to use buses on a future visit.
I think the reason the Barrie, ON branch of the Ministry of Tourism made such an impression upon me was the offer of assistance when we asked for brochures. They offered to make the phone calls, saving cell phone minutes. We were able to browse through the other information available and stretch our legs after driving for several hours.
When traveling through Ontario, please feel free to stop at any Ministry of Tourism location. As an added bonus, the restrooms were very clean!
Debbie Henthorn is a freelance writer and former bartender and server in many types of establishments.
These days, Debbie spends her time writing and dreaming, operating a licensed home bakery and is a bartender a couple of shifts a week, looking for "that character" to walk into her life.
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