The training session, titled “Excellence for All: Diversity and Inclusion in the Visitor Experience,” was held in Puerto Plata on April 30.
According to the organisations, the programme was designed to equip tour guides, drivers and office personnel with skills aimed at delivering inclusive visitor experiences aligned with evolving traveller expectations.
Ambra Attus, Director of Impact, Development, and Growth at Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, said: “We applaud Xploratur for taking meaningful steps to develop accessible tourism experiences and for investing in its team to ensure excellence at every touchpoint. This initiative reflects a clear commitment to raising service standards and advancing a more inclusive tourism landscape, strengthening the destination’s competitiveness on the global stage.”
The partnership reflects Aquila’s “people-first” operational approach, which emphasises the role of tourism professionals in shaping destination experiences.
During the training session, participants worked through operational scenarios using methodologies developed by Aquila, focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within tourism services.
The programme also covered communication with diverse visitor groups and approaches to adapting services and operational procedures in real time through inclusive practices.
According to the organisations, Xploratur is incorporating elements of Aquila’s Living Lab approach as part of its strategy to enhance guest experiences.
Katty Valdez, Managing Director of Xploratur, said: “The development of accessible products allows us to offer a value proposition aligned with the expectations of cruise lines. Along the way, we’ve learned that inclusion is not only about having the right equipment, but about how we make people feel in every interaction. Investing in our people is key.”
Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is the exclusive training partner of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and stated that it continues to support destinations through cruise tourism training and operational development initiatives.
Tags: Ambra Attus, Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, Katty Valdez, Xploratur
