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Genesis Saskatoon is the first dealership in western Canada – and second in the world – to be recognized with a Forbes Travel Guide award.
The “In Partnership with Forbes Travel Guide” award was presented to the dealership and FFUN Motor Group on Tuesday.
Mark Loeppky, CEO of FFUN Group, the distributor for the Genesis brand in Saskatoon, said he felt extremely honoured to receive the award. He said the recognition means the dealership is now associated with five-star hotels, restaurants, and spas across the world.
The brand was recognized with the same award at its London, Ont. location in March.
Alexandra Miziolek, manager of training and operational excellence with Genesis Motors Canada, explained that the dealership had to meet three quarters of the 189 guidelines set by Forbes Travel Guide in both business and amenity categories in order to qualify for the recognition. She said Saskatoon Genesis met 84 per cent of those standards.
Some of the guidelines include basics, Miziolek explained, like following up with guests after a visit to the dealership and ensuring car settings such as seat placement and radio stations are the same when clients pick up their vehicles.
Other elements are in the small details, Miziolek added, such as using china cups for coffee, documenting coffee orders, and having extra amenities in the washrooms.
She added that employees at the dealerships went through special training and were assessed on their knowledge of luxury hospitality.
Eric Marshall, director of Genesis Canada, said it’s been a long time coming for the organization.
“The relationship with the Forbes Travel Guide is the first of its kind. Not just in Canada, not just in North America, but globally for an automotive company,” he said.
Marshall added that the organization is looking to expand from six Genesis retail experience centers to a total of 30 by the end of 2024.