Bus drivers from across Caithness and Sutherland are driving up standards of customer care through a Welcome Host training initiative.

Staff from Highland Country Buses are taking part in a series of one day seminars that aim to improve customer service in the tourism sector. Welcome Host teaches people to refine their communication skills, handle complaints and provide for people with special needs. The programme is being supported by Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise.

Fiona Paton, tourism training adviser from CASE said: "We are delighted to be able to provide Welcome Host training for the Highland Country Buses staff. Everyone recognises the part that hotel and restaurant staff play in delivering the tourism product locally, but the huge part that others such as coach drivers, shopkeepers and petrol station staff play is often underestimated.

"The Welcome Host seminar encourages people to work together to improve the quality of the service delivered to tourists. We are currently developing a programme of tourism training which will run during the autumn. I would urge tourism businesses throughout Caithness and Sutherland to let us know what their training needs are so that we can try and ensure that the training is relevant and delivered where it is needed."