Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence

10/08/2026

Earlier this week at SOTIC 2026 in Georgetown, Beth Hatt led a hands-on workshop for the Regional Tourism Youth Congress, spending time with young leaders serving as Junior Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism.

We talked about how the cruise industry has changed, the career and business opportunities in it, and the role young people can play in shaping where it goes next. Working with students and emerging tourism professionals is something we’ve long cared about, and it was great to do it in a room full of people so engaged in the future of tourism.

Congratulations to all the young leaders taking part in the Regional Tourism Youth Congress.

10/07/2026

At the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 in Georgetown, Guyana, Aquila founder Beth Hatt presented the Cruise Masterclass, “Maximizing Destination Value Through Cruise Tourism,” in collaboration with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

The session began with a special introduction from Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, before exploring how destinations can build on cruise arrivals by creating experiences guests value, increasing local economic participation and spreading the benefits of cruise tourism across the wider economy.

As the official training partner of FCCA, Aquila was pleased to bring this conversation to SOTIC 2026 and continue supporting destinations in strengthening the value and impact of cruise tourism.

10/02/2026

Aquila’s Melanie Colpitts was in St. Maarten this week for "Driver Excellence" training with the Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association.

For many cruise guests, a taxi driver is the first local they meet and the last one they say goodbye to, so that ride shapes how they remember the destination. More than 200 drivers took part and their energy and eagerness to find new ways to deliver excellent service to their guests was inspiring.

Thank you to Association President Maya Friday for her leadership in organising the training and to every driver who attended.

09/29/2026

For more than 40 years, Beth Hatt has been helping shape cruise tourism excellence — from the ground up. 🚢

As founder and Co-Creator of the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence, Beth helped transform Aquila into a Living Lab, where best practices in service, guest experience and destination readiness are tested in real-world operations. Her work has taken her across the Caribbean, Central and South America and beyond, working alongside destinations, tour operators and industry partners.

But perhaps one of Beth's greatest contributions is the people she has helped develop along the way. Through mentorship and leadership, she continues to support the next generation of tourism professionals while helping teams and destinations strengthen the guest experience.

Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Beth brings more than four decades of experience — and an enduring commitment to helping the industry and its people succeed.

09/27/2026

Smarter tools. Same heart.

This year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” reflects changes we’re already seeing in our own work.

Aquila has worked across more than 140 destinations, supporting the people at the heart of every guest experience.

Today, new digital tools are helping us do that work in new ways, from helping destinations assess their readiness to supporting training and development for tour guides, tour operators and frontline teams.

The goal remains the same: equipping people with what they need to deliver excellence, with better tools to support them along the way.

To everyone working to shape the future of tourism, thank you for being part of it.

09/22/2026

We joined tourism professionals in Curaçao this week for the Shore to Ship Symposium, where industry leaders from across the region came together to share ideas on strengthening the cruise visitor experience. As part of the programme, Aquila led training workshops focused on guest experience.

Read more about the symposium here: https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/unknown/shore-to-ship-symposium-brings-industry-partners-together-to-strengthen-the-cruise-visitor-experience

  WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao Tourist Board (CTB), in close collaboration with the Curaçao Ports Authorit...

09/21/2026

Three training sessions recently brought together tourism professionals and aspiring guides in Guadeloupe, where participants showed plenty of enthusiasm, curiosity and a genuine thirst for knowledge.

Forty participants completed the Tour Guide Excellence Certification, while 34 took part in Art of Storytelling. A further 20 vendors and artisans participated in Excellence du Service pour les Commerçants et Artisans.

Beth Hatt and Elizabeth Cormier led the sessions, with Beth delivering the French-language service training and co-leading the Tour Guide Excellence Certification, including the final-day exam, while Elizabeth led Art of Storytelling.

What stood out throughout the week was the energy in the room. Participants were engaged, eager to learn and not afraid to ask questions, making for a rewarding week of training and exchange.

09/14/2026

Melanie Colpitts started her career as a tour guide at 16 and has spent more than 25 years growing alongside Aquila and the cruise tourism industry. 🚢

As Partner and Vice-President of Training, she was involved in developing what would become some of Aquila’s signature training programs, including the Tour Guide Excellence International Certification and the ACE Tour Operator Designation, as well as many programs since.

Her work has taken her onboard expedition ships, onto cruise line private islands and into destinations around the world, delivering training and helping teams strengthen the guest experience.

Today, she brings that experience to tour guides, tour operators and destination stakeholders — helping turn training into the kind of service excellence guests actually notice.

09/11/2026

Aquila’s Ambra Attus and Tania Padilla recently spent five days in Huatulco, Mexico, working with local tourism professionals, guides and stakeholders as part of Huatulco’s efforts to strengthen its cruise tourism sector.

The training covered everything from getting more value from cruise calls and creating destination experiences that reflect Huatulco’s character, to service excellence and the International Tour Guide Excellence Certification.

In total, 140 tourism professionals, guides and local stakeholders took part, with the learning extending beyond those in the room.

Participants said the training helped strengthen their performance as guides through professional, knowledgeable and high-quality instruction. Others noted that the experience delivered more than new skills, opening the door to meaningful business opportunities.

That’s what destination training can do: strengthen the people delivering the experience, while creating opportunities that extend beyond the training itself.



Secretaría de Turismo del Estado de Oaxaca
Huatulco Gobierno Municipal