Downtown ambassadors to help tourists in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Ambassadors will soon hit downtown Rapid City to hand out maps to tourists, suggest restaurants and point out attractions.

The ambassadors will wear bright red shirts with white lettering saying "Downtown Ambassador."

The new program launches June 2 and runs through September. Ambassadors will be on the streets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mayor Steve Allender tells the Rapid City Journal the ambassadors will be "the friendliest person you see downtown."

Allender says he was first exposed to downtown ambassador programs when he visited Atlanta.

In addition to helping tourists, the job description says ambassadors also will "serve as additional eyes and ears" for police and fire departments.

While ambassadors in other cities travel by bicycle or Segway, Rapid City ambassadors will stick to walking around the city.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com