**The Girl in the Bakery**

The Girl in the Bakery

In January, I was in Maastricht (in The Netherlands) to share ideas with Europe’s leading Hotel General Managers. Maastricht is one of the most charming and friendly cities I have ever visited. Marcel Knols is the Algemnne Directeur of Maastricht Tourism. He told me of a very innovative promotion they conduct. It’s called The Girl in the Bakery. Fieny Beckers-Eijssen, also from Maastricht Tourism, e-mailed me the complete story of this clever promotion. Here’s how it works.

The Province of Limburg (which includes Maastricht) proudly promotes itself as a very ‘friendly’ place. So much so, even the girl in the bakery will ask “Are you enjoying your stay?...and...What else can we do for you?”...as everyone in the Province is encouraged to welcome visitors. So, the guests who stay in the local Hotels and Bungalow Parks, are given buttons and are invited to reward good service by giving one of the buttons. (It also doubles as a gift certificate.) The provider of the warm hospitality, then trades in the button for a gift (always for two people) arranged by Maastricht Tourism.

The button recipients (and they can be anyone from a taxi driver, bank employee, waitress, to the girl in the bakery) are invited to fill out their name and address on the website www.meisjebijdebakker.nl. Four times a year Maastricht Tourism has a spoil you day at the Hotel School in Maastricht. Twenty people are selected to enjoy the day and are really spoiled with outstanding hospitality from the students. And out of all the names, entered at the web site, one person is judged as the most hospitable person of the year. This person wins the free use of a car for a year.

I hope you and your ‘girl in the bakery’ are welcoming guests warmly.

Max Hitchins - The Hospitality Doctor - with Secrets, Tips, Tonics and Remedies to fill your Rooms, Restaurants and Bars - - http://www.HospitalityDoctor.com