Capital Region Tourism, the lead tourism body for south east Wales, has created a training and development programme designed to drive up standards of service and improve business efficiency in tourism businesses across the region.
The courses and workshops cover topics ranging from food safety and business development, through to e-marketing, social media and using exhibitions and networking to attract new business. Mostly half-day or full-day sessions, the training is being held at venues across the capital region to allow better access for busy small business owners, such as those running independent guest houses and restaurants.
Speaking about the importance to the tourism industry of improving skills, Capital Region Tourism project manager, Alice Brown, said: “The tourism product in south east Wales is based on high quality experiences for visitors and guests. That could be great dining, exciting outdoor activities and fascinating cultural opportunities, all wrapped up with welcoming accommodation and breathtaking scenery. Fundamental to the success of tourism is the people working in the industry.
“Capital Region Tourism is offering subsidised, on-the-job training and workshops to help colleagues in the tourism sector to develop their skills and businesses. We encourage them to think of it as CPD – continuing professional development, because we all need to refresh and enhance skills if we are to give great service that is memorable and which turns first-time visitors into regular guests and, ultimately, advocates for proper holidays in south east Wales.
“The course programme has been devised using feedback from business owners, leading to an inspiring mix of skills development opportunities. The trainers being used all excel in their areas of expertise and have had extremely good feedback from previous sessions they have run for us.”
The full rage of courses can be seen and booked online at www.capitalregiontourism.org/skills or by calling Alice Brown or Bogda Smreczak on 029 2059 9221.
