| A Warm
Welcome Awaits in Causeway Coast
A very successful series of ‘Welcome Host’ Workshops
were held throughout November for local businesses
dealing with visitors to the area on a regular basis,
through provision of accommodation, hospitality, catering
or transport.
The workshops were delivered by Welcome to Excellence
approved trainers and funded jointly by Coleraine
Borough Council and DETI, with the objective of improving
quality assurance and service standards in the area.
Peter Thompson, Tourism Manager with Coleraine Borough
Council stated that ‘the Council hopes to engage with
the tourism and hospitality sectors as much as possible
on quality assurance and training. It aims to facilitate
and assist businesses by providing relevant training
that can maximise productivity and give a sense of
value to employees. Customer needs and expectations
are better met and measurable benefits should be possible
for all.’
Roisin McKee (Acting Chief Executive,
Tourism Training Trust) and Peter Thompson (Tourism
Manager, CBC) receive a welcoming cup of tea from
Mrs Anne Rossborough (Chair of B&B Association)
who is proud to claim 100% of her staff are now trained
as ‘Welcome Hosts’.
To date 41 people have completed this course and
feedback confirmed that participants found it both
informative and enjoyable. Mrs Kate O’Boyle from Cromore
Halt was one of the first to complete the course and
commented that it was ‘thoroughly enjoyable and I
learnt a lot’.
Roisin McKee Acting Chief Executive Tourism Training
Trust explained, ‘The Welcome to Excellence programmes
are designed to enable organisations in tourism and
related industries to maximise the many benefits of
quality customer service including higher and repeat
business, favourable word of mouth recommendations
and staff retention. The programme is suitable not
only for those new to the industry but as an important
refresher course to those in the business for many
years also. Northern Ireland has a lot to offer and
we need to ensure that the service in our hospitality
industry is first class in every aspect. The Welcome
to Excellence Programme can help any business or organization
to achieve this level of excellence. There are now
3 one day training programmes available in Northern
Ireland, which provide front-line staff and managers
with the skills they need to provide these high standards
of service.’
Coleraine Borough Council is planning to run another
series of training opportunities, including further
‘Welcome Host’ sessions, ‘Welcome All’ Workshops,
which specifically provide advice and guidance on
providing a service to customers with specific needs.
Anyone interested in attending one of these workshops,
which are due to be held in January/February, should
contact Vicky Stevenson at Coleraine Borough Council
on 70347044 or email vicky.stevenson@colerainebc.gov.uk
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