Clearwater Beach, Fla. — When you're on vacation, the person with all the answers in the concierge. At the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Michael Wagner is that go-to person. He is the lead concierge and says coming out of the pandemic, people are booking rooms like crazy.
What You Need To Know
- Tampa Bay tourism is picking up, with hotels and restaurants working hard to keep up
- Concierges have had to wear many hats with the influx of people
- Bay Area Concierge Association is a resource for those in the hospitality industry
"It is the wildest season I think I have ever encountered in all my years of being here," said Wagner. He has worked at the Sandpearl for almost 15 years.
To keep up, concierges are wearing many hats. But that is something Wagner does not mind.
“No one person should ever just stick to the one thing they know. Always expand. Always keep searching on how can I improve myself and my position? Or how can I increase my guests' experience by knowing more and doing more," said Wagner.
One area of support for the field is the Bay Area Concierge Association, also known as BACA. Wagner is the President of the local non-profit.
BACA has been a great resource too as the area comes out of the pandemic.
“There are a lot of people it definitely put into, I am not going to say depression, but a different state of mind," said Wagner.
BACA holds networking and education events too. It's a way to support fellow concierges after a tough year.
“I say just keep your head up, pull yourself up by the boot straps and just keep on going. Hospitality and tourism is not going anywhere, it’s only going to get stronger," said Wagner.