Tourism workers see attractions from flip side

A bus full of local hoteliers, city employees and Riverfront Park staff was treated to a free field trip Tuesday to see Spokane’s sights.

It was just like a vacation – but in their own backyards.

That’s the idea, said Gina Mauro of the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is hosting the tours.

It’s the first of a half-dozen bureau-sponsored outings designed to get tourist industry workers fired up about the city’s attractions before the January arrival of the State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which are expected to bring thousands of visitors to Spokane. The competition begins Jan. 21.

“Even if you may have grown up here, I hope you’ll hear something you may not have heard before and see Spokane as you’ve never seen it before – with new eyes – especially with all the skating visitors coming to town,” said Mauro, welcoming 26 guests aboard the bus.

As the bus pulled away, Harla Biever, who’s given tours of Spokane for 23 years, launched into a monologue on city history, architecture and little-known facts.

“Right here are six or eight attractions people would love to see,” Biever said, motioning to Riverfront Park’s Carrousel, Clocktower, IMAX theater, sculptures, gondolas and more.

As the bus looped around to Spokane Falls, the Monroe Street Bridge and River Park Square, riders leaned forward in their seats, eyes glued on Biever.

She pointed out shopping and dining choices interspersed with tales of the horse thieves who opened a logging mill to become the city’s first white settlers and the saloon girl whose kerosene lamp caused a devastating fire in 1889.

“This reminds me how easy it is to take things for granted once you’ve seen and done it all,” said Connie Wagner, director of sales and marketing at Quality Inn Valley Suites.

Christine Cochran, director of operations for Best Western Pheasant Hill in Spokane Valley, said “We are rich with all our parks, beautiful architecture, theaters and the city is clean.”

Nicole Snyder, who works the front desk at Courtyard by Marriott, said: “It’s neat to see it as a tourist.

“We’re always telling people about things and now we get to do them.”

Five more tours will be offered. They’re open to the more than 600 members of the convention and visitors bureau and will run through Jan. 10, said Mauro, but seats are limited.

Several hotel managers said it was such a great experience they’re going to recommend all their staff who interact with guests take the trip.

Perfect, said Mauro.

“There’s lots to do here. We just want them to spread the word.”