ELGIN HAS BECOME a Worldhost recognised destination – giving a massive shot in the arm to tourism in the area.
The status recognises good customer service across the businesses who have signed up to the scheme – and is recognised throughout the world as a badge of high-quality customer service.
Elgin received WorldHost status when a number of businesses signed up to the programme and put at least 50% of their front-line staff through a training programme. WorldHost customer service training allowed them to show their business commitment to providing excellent customer service to existing and new customers.
Local businesses taking part (listed below) have been led in the rollout of the initiative throughout Moray by the Moray Economic Partnership through its Tourism and Culture Group. The aim is to have WorldHost Regional Destination states awarded throughout the region.
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.
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 wish 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, who 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 added: “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 WorldHost 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.”
For more information, prices and for a course near you visit the Moray Speyside WorldHost page on Facebook.
Businesses taking part in WorldHost:
The Beechtree Restaurant
Business Gateway
Carden Holiday Cottages
City of Elgin BID
Crafted
The Drouthy Cobbler
Gordon & Macphail
Heather Glen B&B
In Stitches
Buckie Yarns
Two Moray Reach Out enterprises
Johnstons of Elgin
Moray Chamber of Commerce
Moray Firth Tours
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Sunninghill Hotel
Xanadu Ladies Fashions
In addition, over 100 Moray College UHI students studying hospitality have undergone the training.