Antrim businesses go the extra mile in preparation for the Giro d’Italia

Chartered Marketers and Licensed WorldHost Trainers Heather Major, Christine Watson and Lynda Willis, have trained 34 service professionals from 13 Antrim businesses in tourism and hospitality, ahead of the Giro d’italia cycling race which will pass through Templepatrick, Dunadry and Antrim on 10 May 2014.

Eimear Kearney, Marketing Officer at Lough Neagh Partnership, a WorldHost partner organisation committed to achieving WorldHost destination status for Lough Neagh, said:  “With so many local, national and international events being hosted in Northern Ireland, it’s the perfect time for our tourism and hospitality sectors to produce ambassadors who are truly passionate about the service they provide visitors.”

Being presented their vocationally recognised level 2 qualifications in the world renowned WorldHost customer service and tourism ambassador programme for excellence in customer service by Deputy Mayor Cllr Brian Graham at a special ceremony in the Mayor’s Chamber at Antrim Borough Council are staff from Cafe 4 U, Fried Fish Warehouse, Gravelbank B&B, Homemade by Manns, Maid of Antrim, Maldron Hotel, Scenic Travel NI, Style Solutions, Templeton Hotel and The Chippy.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), the sector skills council People 1st, and the Department for Employment and Learning are working in close partnership to provide WorldHost customer service training in Northern Ireland. The initiative aims to help businesses improve customer service skills in a range of industries including the tourism, hospitality, leisure and passenger transport sectors.