Orkney sets sights on WorldHost status

Minister for business, energy and tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, has unveiled a new funding agreement that will allow hundreds of small businesses in Orkney to access subsidised customer service training over the next two years.

The funding, which is provided by Skills Development Scotland and is worth £180,000 in the next 12 months alone, will be made available through the WorldHost Regional Destination Initiative – a national campaign, led locally by Orkney Tourism Group.

As part of the two-year project, Orkney has committed to work towards achieving WorldHost Recognised Destination status – a must-have badge for excellent customer service – which means at least 100 local businesses will need to achieve WorldHost Recognised Business status.

WorldHost Recognised Business status is awarded to businesses that have trained at least 50 per cent of their front-line staff using any of the WorldHost programmes, while WorldHost Recognised Destination status is awarded to areas where 25 per cent of businesses have achieved the standard.

Samantha Berston, business manager of Orkney Tourism Group, said: “We are delighted to be one of the 11 regionals working towards WorldHost Recognised Destination Status. Our steering group consists of businesses from both the public and private sector who believe that this is a must-have for the region. By working together to the highest standard, we are confident that we will attract visitors old and new which in turn will benefit the local economy.”

Businesses interested in becoming WorldHost-trained, taking up the funded training, or learning more about the WorldHost Regional Destination Initiative can find information at http://scotland.worldhost.co.uk