The only way is up for tourism business in Badenoch and Strathspey

Enterprising tourism businesses in Badenoch and Strathspey are being offered the opportunity to take part in a series of one and two-day training sessions to help develop their staff and keep one step ahead of the competition.

A selection of topics will be included in the training programme, including starting up your own B&B, boosting your existing B&B, workplace trainer training, improving your Quality Assurance scoring and managing excellent service within your business.

The training programme is being run by Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (INBSE). The first course of the programme, which is 'Boost your Bed and Breakfast Business' is to be held in Grantown-on-Spey on the 7th February 2006.

There is also an opportunity for businesses to attend 'Peek through the Keyhole' sessions where they can learn through collaboration and visiting each others businesses to learn some of the secrets of success.

As it is essential for local businesses to keep in touch with the bigger tourism picture, INBSE is supporting businesses to attend the national tourism masterclasess at Gleneagles Hotel during February and March. As an additional bonus there is a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of this world-famous hotel.

There is also an opportunity to attend the annual 'Service in the City' conference in Glasgow in March where world-class speakers will share with delegates how they deliver service excellence.

Marina Huggett, who is running the training programme on behalf of INBSE, said: "Local tourism businesses are well aware that global competition in this lucrative market is fierce and that their visitors are becoming ever more sophisticated in their expectations. It is in all our interests to keep our guests coming to Scotland and to increase the number who visit. The local training sessions, along with the opportunities to take part in these national events, will help our local businesses develop in the right direction."

INBSE also offers businesses the chance to take part in Hospitality Assured - the excellence model for the hospitality and tourism industry with a customer service focus.

Stuart Black, chief executive of INBSE, said: "Scotland is internationally renowned for its scenery and its hospitality and as an area we need to keep focus on providing world-class quality service to ensure our continued success. We have structured our people development programme to provide a selection of opportunities, which cover fundamental core skills through to leadership networking and development opportunities. We are always keen to hear suggestions and ideas from those in the sector as to how we can provide further development opportunities."

Shona Thatchell of the Boat Hotel believes that staff training is a crucial element of business development: "Continuous improvement has been a vital part of our continued success at the Boat Hotel. As far as we are concerned our people are the most important asset of our business, so development is one of our key priorities.

"Quality is all about consistency of the product, so we have striven to recruit and retain the best people. Giving them the right tools to deliver excellent hospitality is achieved through training - both external and in-house. Establishing clear career paths for our team has enabled us to focus on what we and they need to achieve through training and development at all levels."

If you would like further information on any aspect of the INBSE tourism training programme then please contact Marina Huggett by email: marina@mh-training.com or telephone: 01381 621064.