Press release -
Perth gets Gold for Hosting
A world-class hosting programme, used at the London 2012 Olympics, has come to Perth’s Visitor Information Centre.
All six members of staff at the High Street centre have now been accredited with People 1st’s WorldHost customer service training - the same initiative used to prepare the hugely commended staff and volunteers at the London 2012 Olympics.
The programme, which was developed in Canada and adapted for the UK prior to London 2012, offers support on how to make the right first impression, build rapport and communicate with customers in the most effective way.
The VisitScotland Information Centre, which opened last April, joins a host of other Perthshire hospitality businesses which have completed WorldHost Customer Service Training including Scone Palace, The Famous Grouse Experience and Perth Racecourse.
Perth’s VisitScotland Information Centre has proved a big hit following relocation from the City Mills site, with a 74% increase in footfall seen in the first six months, compared to the previous year.
Jim Clarkson, Regional Partnerships Director, VisitScotland, said:
“Perth’s new Information Centre has enjoyed a great start to life on the High Street, with many taking advantage of the brilliant digital facilities which enable visitors to access and share more information and experiences than ever before.
“I would like to congratulate the team at the centre on achieving their WorldHost accreditation. I’m sure this industry leading training will help support staff as they continue to deliver a world class visitor experience at the centre.”
Katie Hull, Area Manager, Information & Quality, VisitScotland, said:
“The feedback on the WorldHost customer service training has been really positive. Staff felt the course was a good refresher for customer service and delivered in a really effective way.
“The move to High Street has been a fantastic success. It is very much on a central route around the centre of the town and we are seeing more people than ever before visiting - whether that be just ‘popping in’ for a look, seeking advice on attractions in the area or simply to comment on how lovely the centre looks!”
Over £248m was generated in visitor spend in Perthshire in 2014, with a total of 929,000 trips made to the area throughout the year.
Full list of Perthshire businesses which have undergone WorldHost training:
- The Angus Hotel
- Cairn o Mohr Winery
- Famous Grouse Experience
- Perth Racecourse
- Scone Palace
- VisitScotland Information Centre, Perth City Centre
For more information about WorldHost training, visit http://scotland.worldhost.co.uk/ or email enquiries@people1sttraining.co.uk
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- perthshire
- corporate communications
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by seven overarching strategies:
- Marketing: we will market Scotland and its outstanding assets to visitors from all parts of the world, including the promotion of Scotland to people living in Scotland to visit different parts of the country
- Events: we will support the national events strategy and its delivery, and sustain, develop and promote Scotland’s international profile as one of the world’s foremost events destinations
- Internationalisation and International Engagement: we will utilise all our platforms to enable Scottish-based tourism businesses to better understand international opportunities and market to a global audience and we will work within One Scotland Partnerships to optimise the potential of Scotland’s Diaspora and our strategic partners at regional, European and global levels
- Customer Experience: we will provide information and inspiration to visitors both locally and globally via their preferred medium of choice
- Quality and Sustainability: we will provide support and advice to businesses, with the goal of improving the quality and sustainability of the tourism sector in Scotland. We will provide quality assurance to visitors through our Quality Schemes
- Inclusive Tourism: we will strive to make tourism in Scotland inclusive and available to all
- Working in Partnership: we will listen to and work with the industry, partners and communities to shape our offering and support
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, the tourism economy supports 270,000 jobs in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the tourism economy contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business events in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016 - 2016 will shine a spotlight on Scotland’s achievements in innovation, architecture and design through a wide-ranging, variety of new and existing activity.
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design begins on 1 January 2016 and ends on 31 December 2016 and will build on the momentum generated by the current 2015 Year of Food and Drink as well as previous years including Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.
- Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland’s position as an “innovation nation”, its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector.
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, Architecture + Design Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).
- The Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
- Join the conversation at #IAD2016
- Events can join the 2016 Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design Partner Programme throughout the year by visiting http://www.eventscotland.org/YIAD_partner_programme
