Days Inn’s Irene Taylor is Colorado Tourism’s Outstanding Frontline Tourism Worker

IRENE Taylor loves her job, which is why she says it is easy to do.

A smiling Taylor, assistant manager for Days Inn in Alamosa, accepted the Colorado Tourism Office Outstanding Frontline Tourism Worker Award for the San Luis Valley region on Friday. She was feted during a ceremony at the newly-remodeled Colorado Welcome Center off Sixth Street and State Avenue.

“Watching how Irene interacts with guests and how she helps visitors learn more about Alamosa and the San Luis Valley, we’re just so proud of her,” said Elizabeth Sumner, director of destination development for Visit Alamosa. “She’s just so welcoming and hospitable to everybody.”

It’s easy to do, said Taylor, when you like what you do. For 13 years she has been checking in guests at the Days Inn, giving them recommendations on where to eat or nearby attractions to visit, and doing whatever else it takes for the property to run smoothly.

The Colorado Tourism Office was recognizing frontline workers like Taylor in each of the state’s eight tourism corridors.

“We want to show them how valuable they are,” said Taren Mulch, director of visitor services for the Colorado Tourism Office. Each winner will attend the Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference Sept. 21-23 in Snowmass.