Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation Launches Charm City Certified Course to Hospitality Industry
BALTIMORE, MD — The Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing Baltimore’s workforce and strengthening its tourism community, is proud to announce the launch of Charm City Certified, a new training course designed to strengthen the city’s visitor experience and empower the hospitality workers who bring it to life.
Charm City Certified is the first offering from Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation’s new Tourism Academy platform, a flexible, on-demand learning hub built to support the city’s tourism and hospitality workforce.
The course offers training in tourism fundamentals and best practices, giving frontline teams, volunteers and community partners the tools to welcome visitors with confidence and pride. Upon completion of the Charm City Certified course, participants will unlock access to an Insider Pass—a curated collection of special offers from local businesses and attractions that encourages exploration and deeper connection with the city.
“Our mission at the Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation is to highlight the role that tourism plays in Baltimore’s economy and invest in the people pushing it forward,” says Mia Blom, Executive Director of the Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation. “Tourism has the power to positively impact the quality of life for the people who live and work in Baltimore by attracting visitor spending that creates jobs, generates revenue for our city and supports local businesses and attractions. By launching Charm City Certified, we are providing resources for those who are on the front lines of the visitor experience while investing in long-term programs that create a stronger, more welcoming Baltimore for all travelers.”
In addition to the Charm City Certified Course, Visit Baltimore will roll out additional tools designed to provide free, self-paced personal and professional development for hospitality partners on the Tourism Academy platform. The courses will cover topics such as Business Etiquette, Customer Service, Improving Self-Awareness, Teambuilding for Managers, and Safety in the Workplace, in addition to Warm Welcome, a program created by Visit Baltimore to educate Baltimore hospitality workers on social inclusion and fostering a welcoming destination.
“Charm City Certified is an incredible tool to help train and empower Baltimore’s hospitality workforce,” said Al Hutchinson, President and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “Through the Tourism Academy platform, we’re creating accessible, on-demand learning that supports growth for our city’s front-line ambassadors and sets the tone for a more inclusive, informed and welcoming visitor experience across our city.”
The Charm City Certified course also marks a milestone achievement for Mya Mendoza, a junior at Morgan State University majoring in hospitality management and a current apprentice through the Visit Baltimore Apprenticeship Program, who has played an integral role in developing and launching the Charm City Certified Course. Sponsored by Guinness Open Gate Brewery in partnership with the Visit Baltimore Education & Training Foundation, the 600-hour program offers emerging leaders from underrepresented communities the opportunity to gain real-world experience in destination marketing and hospitality.
While the courses are geared towards the hospitality and tourism industry, they are open to the entire Baltimore community. To enroll in Charm City Certified, visit https://baltimore.org/tourism-academy/.
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ABOUT VISIT BALTIMORE
Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) non-profit organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. In 2024, 28.5 million people visited Baltimore for overnight and day trips, generating a total of $4.3 billion to Baltimore’s economy. For more information, please visit https://baltimore.org.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing Baltimore’s workforce and strengthening its tourism community. For more information, please visit https://baltimore.org/foundation/