26 January 2012

NI Tourism Industry Should Take Advantage Of Opportunity

Northern Ireland’s tourism industry has been urged to grasp the opportunities made available to the sector in 2012.

Tourism Minister Arlene Foster and Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry today launched WorldHost, an internationally renowned customer service training programme, which will provide training for front-line staff in hospitality, tourism and passenger transport.

Highlighting the importance of high quality customer service, Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: "This is an exciting time for Northern Ireland tourism. With the NI2012 programme of events and top class visitor attractions opening, we have an unprecedented opportunity to put Northern Ireland on the map and to generate future tourism business.

"Hundreds of thousands of visitors will come here in 2012 and over the next few years. From the moment they arrive, to the transport services they use, and the places and attractions they visit, the customer-facing staff which they interact with all have the opportunity to shape our visitors’ experience.

"The WorldHost Programme will help to support businesses to deliver excellent levels of customer service and to reaffirm the message that Northern Ireland is a great place to visit."

The WorldHost Programme has been developed in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the Department for Employment and Learning and the sector skills council -- People 1st, in order to help businesses gain a competitive edge in this time of opportunity for the tourism, hospitality, leisure and passenger transport sectors.

(LB)