B&B provides stunning service to match the views thanks to WorldHost
The Snowdonia National Park is well-known for its stunning scenery but now a Tal-y-Llyn B&B is hoping to put the area on the map for world class hospitality skills.
Staff at The Old Rectory on the lake have undergone WorldHost training to ensure they are equipped with industry leading customer service skills and impeccable local knowledge to deliver to customers.
The WorldHost customer service programme has a proven track record worldwide and was used to train 39,000 staff for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. The programme was brought to the UK by People 1st and adapted to meet the needs of the local hospitality and tourism industry in Wales.
Thanks to WorldHost, staff at The Old Rectory have the hosting skills to match the magnificent location. The co-owners of the luxury bed and breakfast have undergone training in order to provide the warmest welcome and ensure it is not just the location but the hospitality which tourists remember following their visit.
The training allowed staff at The Old Rectory on the lake to re-identify what was necessary to ensure good-quality service. This included the importance of a good welcome, the value of good listening skills while learning of how to tackle potentially inflammatory situations through role-play and gaining an understanding of the importance of the tourism industry to the strength of the Welsh economy.
Speaking of the training Ricky Francis, co-owner and chef, said: “We are lucky enough to be situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty which is a big draw for guests. However, it is important not to rest on our laurels and think that location alone is enough for our visitors.
“We want to make sure our discerning guests enjoy an all-round fantastic experience. We like to think our hosting is excellent but there is always something to learn and we saw WorldHost as the perfect way of refreshing our skills and remaining at the top of our game.
“Hospitality can be a tough industry to work in but ensuring hosting skills are first class can make people want to come back, creating a sustainable business over a long period of time. We have one couple from the West Midlands who have returned 22 times which highlights what going the extra mile can achieve.”
People 1st , the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism has ambitious plans, aiming to deliver WorldHost training to 200,000 people across Britain.
Its research shows that 40 per cent of London hospitality businesses alone are concerned about meeting the expectations of their visitors and expects similar concerns across the UK.
Phil Raynsford, Strategic Programmes Director for People 1st, said: “According to new figures from the Office for National Statistics, tourism pumps millions into the north Wales economy.
“The hospitality and tourism industry is one of the largest employers in north Wales. WorldHost gives employers the chance to train their staff in a programme that has a proven track record worldwide and achieve a recognised qualification that they can keep for life.
“Snowdonia is lucky to boast some of the world’s most stunning scenery which brings visitors flocking from across the globe. However, it is vital that as a nation we seize this opportunity and make a good impression to visitors which will reflect well on Wales and further boost visitor numbers.
“The WorldHost programme aims to achieve just this and promote Wales on an international stage, not just for sporting achievements but for having the best customer service skill in the world too.”
For more information visit: http://www.worldhost.uk.com/wales
