Bournemouth boasts one thousand Ambassadors!

Bournemouth boasts one thousand Ambassadors!

Desi Koleva, a hospitality student at Bournemouth University and conference and events assistant at The Highcliff Marriott Hotel, has become the 1,000th official Bournemouth Ambassador!

The free online training module is offered by the National Coastal Tourism Academy to everyone in the town who interacts with visitors. Hundreds of employees in the tourism industry have undertaken the course, which provides a wealth of information on Bournemouth and its surrounding area along with top tips on service skills.

“We’ve been overwhelmed with the response to the online course,” commented Samantha Richardson, NCTA director.

“Bournemouth Ambassador was only launched last summer when the trade is at its busiest, so to reach one thousand is fantastic. It demonstrates how seriously the tourism industry in Bournemouth takes staff training and customer service; it’s an extremely encouraging milestone.

“I’d like to appeal to anyone who hasn’t yet done it to give it a go – students, residents, industry staff – it’s free, takes less than an hour and provides a great overview of attractions in and around Bournemouth. And it’s the perfect introduction to anyone who has just arrived in the town, just visit bournemouthambassador.co.uk.

“We’d like to help make Bournemouth’s tourism industry staff the best in the UK for product knowledge and accomplished hosting.”

Desi commented: “As a student of tourism at Bournemouth University and as I have only just started on a placement at the Highcliff Marriott, the Bournemouth Ambassador training module was a great introduction to the town. The customer service tips were also useful, and I’m really thrilled to be the 1000th Ambassador!”

The module is the first in a portfolio of NCTA training courses offered to tourism industry staff. The Academy has launched a series of initiatives aimed at raising standards of customer service across the town, to encourage more visitors and keep them returning to boost the local tourism economy.

Following on from its success, the Ambassador module is now undergoing a makeover to make it even more engaging, with new interactive features and additional sections.

Since its launch, a number of other coastal destinations have registered interest in a replicating a similar model.

Visit bournemouthambassador.co.uk to take the course. For more information on NCTA courses, visit coastaltourismacademy.co.uk

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Notes to Editors: The National Coastal Tourism Academy is a partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council, Bournemouth University and the local tourism industry. It is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government, with additional investment from Bournemouth Borough Council and Bournemouth University, initially for two years. The key purpose of the project is to create jobs in the tourism sector through growth in the local economy.

For more media information, please contact Sheron Crossman, Marketing and Communications Manager, National Coastal Tourism Academy, Sheron.crossman@coastaltourismacademy.co.uk, tel: 01202 962565