Craigavon the venue for celebration event

Up to 34 employees from a range of service and hospitality sectors received the award at an event organized by the Lough Neagh Partnership. The awards presentation event coincided with World Tourism Day.

WorldHost Training is an internationally renowned customer service training programme and provides training for front-line staff in the hospitality, tourism and passenger transport sectors.

Highlighting the importance of high quality customer service, the Minister said: “Northern Ireland’s tourism sector has experienced an exciting time. We have had unprecedented opportunities over the last year to put Northern Ireland on the map and to generate future tourism business. From the moment tourists arrive, we want them to have the ultimate customer service experience. The WorldHost Programme helps to support businesses in delivering excellent levels of customer service, and to reaffirm the message that Northern Ireland is a great place to visit.”

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the sector skills council People 1st, and the Department for Employment and Learning are working in close partnership to provide WorldHost customer service training in Northern Ireland. The initiative aims to help businesses improve customer service skills in a range of industries including the tourism, hospitality, leisure and passenger transport sectors.

The Minister concluded: “I commend these employees on their achievement. WorldHost is an excellent example of how upskilling Northern Ireland’s workforce can make a real difference. This programme is positive news for the local Lough Neagh economy and WorldHost provides a great opportunity to help those in tourist-related businesses prepare to showcase the area, its people and places to the world. I welcome that, through my Department’s Skills Solutions Service, your businesses were able to improve the skill set of your employees.”