200 tourism workers learn how to go the extra mile for customers

THE completion by almost 200 people of the English Riviera Tourism Company's new customer care training programme is welcome news for the resort.

Launched in January, Welcome English Riviera has trained staff in tourism or tourism-related businesses across the resort, with further courses running over the coming months.

Company chief executive Carolyn Custerson said that with around 13,000 people working in the industry on the English Riviera it may seem like scratching the surface.

But she is confident good progress is being made.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

She said: "The excellent feedback we have received from the delegates has been really encouraging, and suggests that each new trainee will take back new ideas and best practice to the workplace and begin to really make a difference.

"Good customer care can be really infectious within a business."

Businesses already taking advantage of this new training include the Grand Hotel, Beverley Holidays, Riviera International Conference Centre, Stagecoach, Torbay Harbours, Kents Cavern, Babbacombe Model Village.

Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Apollo Cinemas, South Devon College students and Paignton's Business Improvement District retailers are all due to take part in the coming weeks.

Trainer Deirdre Makepeace said: "Only through consistently exceeding customers' expectations — going the extra mile — will we see businesses and the resort thrive.

"These are challenging times and the new course, which is supported by Torbay Development Agency, can help everyone working in tourism and hospitality realise just how important they really are in the resort's future success and help them to learn more about the resort."

The one-day course includes the best tips on customer care as well as exemplary knowledge of the destination and what visitors to the English Riviera love most.

The Welcome to Excellence family of customer care training programmes endorses Welcome English Riviera.

Courses are running in Torquay and Paignton on various dates throughout the year and cost £35 plus VAT per person. Upcoming dates are May 24, June 19 and July 11.

Bespoke courses can also be organised for groups or larger employers.

For more information, log on to www.englishriviera tourism.co.uk or contact Angela Wright at the English Riveira Tourism Company to make a booking on 01803 296296.