Days hotel totally trained!

Days Hotel totally trained!

More than 340 staff in Bournemouth’s tourism industry have completed the National Coastal Tourism Academy’s new on-line training programme to become Bournemouth Ambassadors.

The programme was only launched last month (June) and has generated excellent take-up from a wide range of sectors, including hoteliers, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs.

Days Hotel has emerged as the business with the most staff taking the training, the hotel has 31 Bournemouth Ambassadors, every front-of-house member of staff. Days Hotel is part of the world’s largest hotel group, Wyndham Hotels.

The Bournemouth Ambassador programme provides comprehensive information on Bournemouth, giving newcomers to the town useful knowledge on the resort’s attractions, transport, history and environment, plus tips on providing good customer service.

The training is free and is the first step in a series of training courses the Academy will offer the town’s tourism industry as part of the NCTA’s goal of raising customer service standards across the resort.

Andy Thompson, Guest Service Manager for Days Hotel, commented: “This was a great opportunity to have all customer-facing staff trained to the same standard. The training provides really useful background information on Bournemouth making it perfect for new staff, particularly if they’re not from the area.

“It took well under an hour to complete, they did it after the breakfast service. And as it was free, so it’s a no-brainer! Having good knowledge of what there is to do and what’s on is very much part of offering great customer service, so I’m thrilled we now have so many Bournemouth Ambassadors,” added Ms Wallace.

The NCTA’s new director Samantha Richardson commented: “The Ambassador training is the very first step in a series of new initiatives we will be piloting. The NCTA has very clear objectives - to create new jobs and to generate more rapid growth in coastal economies.

“Providing excellent customer service and giving visitors a first-class experience is rewarded by repeat business. We hope every customer-facing business in Bournemouth will complete the course, the response so far has been enormously encouraging.”

Visit bournemouthambassador.co.uk to become a Bournemouth Ambassador.