Many volunteers in Valdosta provided food and drinks to evacuees at the visitor information center . ( Photo courtesy of Tourism Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development ) travelers , as well as the staff and volunteers at the 11 visitor centers along Georgia interstates . “ Our staff and volunteers were tasked with helping customers with anything possible ,” said Murray . “ The website we built helped to get the information to everyone in the quickest manner possible .”
Staff at the visitor centers also assisted travelers with lodging accommodations thanks to local tourism offices across the state who helped determine availability . For a large number of travelers , the visitor centers ’ staff provided an even deeper level of service by helping to negotiate reduced fees and rates at various lodging sites and hotels .
“ Many people don ’ t have the money to spend on a hotel stay ,” Murray explained . “ If there weren ’ t shelters open , we worked closely with those hotels and even the state parks to have fees waived or reduced for those who couldn ’ t afford it .”
Murray and the team even worked with Airbnb , an online marketplace and hospitality service , to place people free of charge once the platform was opened
for natural disaster relief . “ That partnership was a huge help to many people . We filled all the Airbnb locations within two hours of them making that declaration .” According to Langston , the staff at the visitor information centers went above and beyond the call of duty during Hurricane Irma operations . “ Even with the heavy volume of travelers through the centers our staff was able to extend compassion , professionalism and service that gave each traveler an exceptional experience in Georgia , even under the worst circumstances ,” he said .
Many agencies across the state come together in times of natural disasters to ensure the safety of all residents and evacuees from other states . The Tourism Division identified a need to help travelers throughout Georgia and filled it using the resources available to them .
Information during crisis is critical , and that team “ did everything possible to support impacted guests and residents during Irma and worked tirelessly to provide the best tools to support them ,” said Langston .
Staff and volunteers at a visitor information center assist evacuees during Hurricane Irma . Lodging , shelter and travel information were provided to those who needed travel assistance . ( Photo courtesy of Tourism Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development )
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