Elgin has achieved WorldHost Recognised Destination status giving a boost to tourism in the area and recognising good customer service across the businesses who have signed up to the scheme.
WorldHost is recognised across the world as a badge of high quality customer service. Elgin received the Worldhost status after a number of businesses signed up to the programme and put at least half their front line staff through the training programme. Using WorldHost customer service training allowed them to show their business commitment to providing excellent customer service to existing and new customers.
The Beechtree restaurant; Business Gateway; Carden Holiday Cottages; city of Elgin BID; Crafted; the Drouthy Cobbler; Gordon & MacPhail; Heather Glen Bed & Breakfast; In Stitches, Buckie Yarns – two of Moray Reach Out enterprises; Johnstons of Elgin; Moray Chamber of Commerce; Moray Firth Tours; Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival; Sunninghill Hotel and Xanadu Ladies Fashions are all now WorldHost recognised businesses in their own right. In addition over 100 students studying hospitality at Moray College UHI also underwent the training.
WorldHost is an internationally recognised programme that brings about a new industry benchmark that businesses and their operators can use to ensure that high quality customer service standards are integral to their operation. It has already been used to train over 10 per cent of Scotland’s tourism workforce and represents an investment of over £2million since it was launched in Scotland.
The Moray Economic Partnership is leading the roll out of the initiative across Moray, under its Tourism and Culture Group with its goal to have MoraySpeyside awarded WorldHost Regional Destination status.
Gill Neill, Manager of Embrace Elgin said “We are delighted to have gained WorldHost Recognised Destination status for the city. It shows the commitment that the businesses have to delivering world class customer service. We are confident that over the coming months more will take advantage and get involved. We have been working on this initiative for some time through the Moray Economic Partnership and want to thank the management group for their commitment and support. We also need to say a huge thanks to Dave Stewart Director of the Highland Retail Academy, Dave has been involved on the programme since we started looking at WorldHost and we could not have got to where we are today without him.”
Angela Wimble of Heather Glen Guest House in Elgin said: “Scotland is known for its warm hospitality and having run a Guest House for 11 years with many repeat customers I hoped that my hospitality and customer service was one of the main factors in bringing people back. When I heard about World Host I thought it was a great idea, the day course was fun and reinforced my approach to customer service and made me feel confident that I was doing everything right. Being able to display my certificate on the premises and the logo on my website and social media will help customers know that they will be getting an excellent welcome and service when they stay with us.”
David Allen, Director (Scotland) at People 1st, said: “I am delighted that we are celebrating Elgin’s WorldHost Destination status. It’s fantastic to see the commitment that so many local businesses have made to delivering excellent service and becoming WorldHost Recognised. While the immediate benefits of great customer service are clear, it is also vital for the long-term, future success of tourism in Scotland, too. Employers see it as the most important skill needed in their business in the next five years.”
For more information, prices and for a course near you see: www.facebook.com/morayspeysideworldhost.
