Success for TMP’s International Visitor Hosts Programme

17th June 2011

Categories: MOST News

The Mersey Partnership (TMP) – Official Tourist Board for Liverpool City Region – has successfully co-ordinated a training programme to recruit and coach a new group of 24 International Visitor Hosts to greet overseas visitors as part of its Destination Welcome.

Liverpool City Region’s popularity with international visitors continues to grow thanks to its rich cultural heritage, stylish hotels and world class events, and the programme is part of TMP’s ongoing tourism development work to further strengthen the overall visitor experience.

Following interviews and a short audition, during which the applicants had to give a short talk on their favourite place in Liverpool, a total of 24 fluent language speakers were successful in securing places on the six-week course. The programme was completed with written and practical examinations, so the group could put into practice everything they had learned.

The visitor hosts were presented with their certificates at a special event hosted by Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool.

Between them the new team of International Visitor Hosts are able to greet and guide overseas visitors in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Slovakian, Czech, Finnish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese and Thai.

They will operate on a self-employed basis and also have the opportunity to work with the two official Tour Guide Booking Agencies – Liverpool Tour Guide Service (Hilary Oxlade/Paul Beesley) and Pool of Life Tours (Tim Hemmings), who have fully supported the programme and will be mentoring the individuals in the months ahead.

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