THE World Host Customer Service training has been named Tourism Initiative of the Year at the Licensed & Catering News Awards 2013.
The WorldHost programme was nominated for the award in a joint application by the Department for Employment and Learning, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism.
WorldHost is an internationally recognised standard in customer service which introduces participants to the principles of customer service and to their practical application in hospitality, tourism and retail settings.
A unique feature in Northern Ireland sees part of the training focusing on enhancing participants’ understanding and knowledge of their local area, encouraging them to take pride in it and equipping them to highlight its points of interest to visitors.
Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning said: “I applaud that World Host Customer Service training has received this recognition. With over 6,500 local employees trained in 18 months on World Host, it is encouraging to see the local hospitality industry buy into this internationally recognised training initiative. “The high profile G8 conference offers an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Fermanagh and Northern Ireland to the world. The WorldHost Customer Service programme, supported by my Department, not only improves the experience for visitors to Northern Ireland but also up-skills the local workforce.”
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said: “This award is a fitting acknowledgement of the part that WorldHost has played in both enhancing customer service levels in the hospitality sector and enhancing our tourism offering.
“There has never been a better time to show what Northern Ireland has to offer to a global audience, with a growing list of blue-chip events such as the G8 summit and the Giro D’Italia on our doorstep.”
Businesses in the retail, hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism industries that employ fewer than 250 employees may be eligible for financial assistance through the Department for Employment and Learning funded package for WorldHost customer service training. More information about