Training
for Tourism scheme to be launched in Edinburgh
Key players in the Scottish tourism industry
have backed an exciting new educational initiative being launched in
Edinburgh on Monday with the aim of enhancing
the quality of the tourism experience for
visitors.
Created by Aberdeen's
Robert
Gordon
University and part-funded by
the European Social Fund (ESF), Training for Tourism will be launched at
the capital's Dynamic Earth venue.
Training for Tourism (TfT) is an online
resource which guides participants
through a range of modules, including motivation skills, work-life balance,
customer care, financial management, e-marketing and managing
change.
Individuals and businesses can sign up online at www.trainingfortourism.com
There is no restriction on the time taken to complete
modules, allowing learners to study at their own pace. An RGU certificate is
awarded for each completed course.
The website includes a forum for students to chat to
fellow users, industry case studies and useful contact
information.
The new initiative is targeting the industry in its
broadest sense, from a taxi driver collecting visitors to the city to a major
company boosting the local economy and helping to help create a vibrant place in
which to be located.
Among the speakers at Monday’s event will be
Ian Herbert, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Forum, and Lewis
Macdonald MSP.
Companies including Eastern
Airways, the Stewart Milne Group and Forbes of
Kingennie have called on businesses to take this opportunity to
develop and enhance the services they offer.
Graeme
Ross, Eastern Airways’ Director for
Scotland,
believes tourism is key to the country’s future.
“As the economy diversifies, tourism and leisure
is going to become even more crucial to our future and it is absolutely pivotal
that service deliverers are trained to the highest standard,” he said.
“Consequently, this initiative has to be commended greatly as a means for all of
us to access top quality university teaching and at a pace tailored to suit our
own situation, irrespective of our role within the
industry.”
Mike Forbes, owner of award-winning tourism
venture Forbes of Kingennie near Dundee, said: “No-one
can dispute that
Scotland as a
product is unbeatable in tourism terms. People come to the country with
high expectations not just of the place but of the people too. I believe
we have a reputation as a friendly, hospitable nation but we must make sure that
this is what visitors experience each and every time they make the trip.
“The quality of service is a function of
both the attitude and the aptitude of the employees in the industry and any
initiative that enhances this can only be good for the sector as a
whole.”
Stewart Milne, Chairman and Chief Executive of
the Stewart Milne Group, added: “The tourism and hospitality industry is
integral in the perception of any area and this is a fantastic opportunity to
broaden the collective skills of all of those involved throughout
Scotland.
“With a leading institution such as The Robert Gordon
University providing the learning materials and input, I am certain that the
take up of Training for Tourism will be extremely high as it is a win-win
situation all round.”
TfT, aimed at everything from the one-person
business to larger organisations, will enable staff of all levels to manage
their own learning within a fun, friendly and exciting web
environment.
Project manager Pearl-Jane Dewar said: “Training for
Tourism aims to help create a better qualified workforce that understands
the needs of the customer, in addition to offering access to new learning
opportunities.
“The website – www.trainingfortourism.com – is extremely user-friendly and provides
bite-sized learning opportunities that will result in tangible benefits to
businesses and the self-employed.
“This is a really exciting project and one which will
benefit all those who are involved.”
The Edinburgh launch follows a successful event
held in Aberdeen on Thursday (November
29).
Issued on behalf
of The Robert
Gordon
University by The
BIG Partnership. For more information please contact
Shona
Hendry on 01224 578173.
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