Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, visited the Quay Hotel, Deganwy, to congratulate the staff on being the first business in Wales to successfully complete the new ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ training programme.
The new training programme, which is a joint venture by Visit Wales, The Welsh Language Board, the Department of Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills and the Tourism Training Forum for Wales has been designed to help businesses offer visitors a unique Welsh Welcome.
The Quay Hotel is the first business to complete all three components of the programme which will allow them to display the ‘Croeso Cynnes Cymreig’ mark. The programme’s three elements include a course based on Customer Service and a further two self assessment modules. One module concentrates on knowledge and communication of local history, food, landscape, culture and language to develop and strengthen the business and locality’s sense of place. The third module is about the use of the Welsh language in the business. There are three levels to this module – Entry, Intermediate and Advanced. It aims to ensure that visitors hear and see the oldest living European language in use, from basic Welsh greetings to through to full use of bilingual signage.
Having completed the programme, General Manager of the Quay Hotel, Neil Beech commented:
“Each element of the training has brought a deeper understanding of our product to every member of my team, assuring the unique “Welsh” welcome awaits all our visitors and guests at the Quay Hotel & Spa.“
Katie-Jane Pinker, Reception Manager at the Quay Hotel completed the programme and felt that it contributed to her confidence in dealing with customers and talking about the local area. Katie said:
“As someone not having grown up in Wales, I found the Welsh Welcome most useful in learning how to further embrace all things Welsh, and learning how to impart a positive Welsh flavour in and around our workplace.”
In congratulating the Quay Hotel, the Heritage Minister, said:
“This new training programme gives those working in our tourism industry the confidence, skills and knowledge to share Wales’s language, history and culture with our visitors by providing a high quality welcome which is distinctive to Wales. Tourism is a highly competitive global industry and here in Wales we must always be on the look out for initiatives that give us the competitive advantage. I would encourage all businesses who come into contact with visitors to consider completing the Croeso Cynnes Cymreig training programme.”
One way of creating a sense of place is by making sure local produce features on the menu. The Quay Hotel was also hosting a North Wales Quality Food Summit on the 16 September which aims to improve the profile of quality local food and beverage suppliers.
For business interested in signing up for the course contact 0845 010 8020
Further information on the Quay Hotel can be found at www.quayhotel.com
