The warm Welsh welcome is going to be even warmer in North Wales thanks to a major training initiative.
The aim is to upgrade the skills of the people working in tourism to improve quality and deliver even better standards of service.
It’s a key part of the strategy to transform the region into a top five visitor destination in the UK.
The industry already employs 38,000 people and generates more than £2 billion in spending every year.
The Vision for Skills Standards for the Tourism and Hospitality industry in North Wales was commissioned by Tourism Partnership North Wales, the body responsible for the strategic development of the region’s visitor economy.
They say that improving the tourism product to make North Wales more competitive is a priority.
Regional Strategy Director Dewi Davies said “It vital to enhance the skills base in the region and to do that we need to identify the key priorities for training for both staff and management.
“Following consultation with people who work in the industry, it’s clear that the skills need for each tourism and hospitality business varies.
“Among our key priorities for action are developing skills in legislation, re-skilling, management and leadership, flexibility and adaptability, social networking, using local knowledge and practice and Welsh language knowledge. “
As a result, a series of tailor-made courses to provide training for people working in the tourism industry, and tourism related businesses including hotels and guest houses, visitor attractions and activity centres.
According to Neil Rowlands, the Chair of Tourism Partnership, having a skilled workforce was essential to the development and sustainability of tourism-related businesses.
He added: “In terms of priority, skills are absolutely crucial whether it’s offering a warm welcome, customer service, technical skills in the kitchen or proficiency in the bar and restaurant.
“If your team aren’t trained, if they don’t have the appropriate skills they can’t deliver, and without that you won’t be in business.”
“This training programme is a key element of the strategy for us to deliver our goal of being a top five UK destination.
“Businesses aren’t in a position to train staff for the sake of training – the results have to be tangible and measurable.
“It’s essential that people who visit North Wales on their holiday have a positive experience – they’re looking for a welcoming smile, great service delivered in a friendly and professional manner.
“We’re all in business to make money let’s not make any bones about that, and a good team and good staff certainly can make your business more profitable.”
With more courses planned in the Autumn, the workshops are being organised by North Wales Tourism and run by trainers with a successful track record in the tourism industry.
Esther Roberts, the Managing Director of North Wales Tourism, said:
“Our three trainers who are delivering the skills have all been there and done it well at the sharp end.
“Our aim is to upskill the workforce to improve the quality and standards of service so that we can assist our businesses to develop and grow.
“We are providing front of house training which is all important in creating a good first impression and teaching people to upsell products.
“That could, for example involve selling a more appropriate and more expensive bottle of wine to accompany a meal in a restaurant or encouraging people to stay longer by giving them more information about what they can do or see in the area.
“They are practical workshops, and they are to encourage staff or hotel proprietors and managers to get more out of their business and to increase their business level.
Colleges co-ordinator Christine Evans, from Coleg Llandrillo Cymru added: “As training providers, we have worked with Tourism Partnership on people development issues in the industry for a number of years.
“A response to the Vision for Skills Strategy gives us an opportunity to bring together the best of business development and training opportunities for tourism operators in North Wales consistently across the region and in the most affordable and flexible manner.”
For information about future courses contact Llinos Cunnah at Tourism Partnership North Wales by ringing 01745 589027or emailing [email protected]
