Worcester champions customer service as a visitor attraction
Worcester has been named as a WorldHost Committed Destination by the National Skills Academy for Retail and People 1st.
The city is the first UK destination to achieve the status following an application from Worcester BID. The organisation will now work to build a consistent reputation for service by encouraging local shops, restaurants, cafes to undergo WorldHost customer service training in order to attract more visitors to the city.
Worcester BID has already funded mystery shopping assessments in 79 businesses and is offering subsidised WorldHost training to businesses in the city. Among those soon to complete the WorldHost training are CrownGate Shopping Centre and Worcester College of Technology.
Erica Burlace, vice-chairman of Worcester BID and centre manager at CrownGate Shopping Centre, said: “Worcester BID has identified that a mere 170,000 people out of a possible 458,000 people choose Worcester as their primary destination. The city offers all the amenities that people want but they just don’t know it. This perception issue is costing our local economy a potential £1.4 billion in lost consumer spending.
“WorldHost is a way we can help improve service in the city and draw in more visitors. This is more than just getting the plaque on the wall, this is about customers getting better service and championing our city.”
WorldHost has trained one million people worldwide, including 40,000 volunteer and tourism staff who helped make the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010 a success.
Jane Rexworthy, head of the National Skills Academy for Retail said: “We are delighted to celebrate Worcester as our first WorldHost Committed Destination. This is an important step to building the UK’s reputation for outstanding customer service which is important for our local and global image. We hope to be adding many more towns and cities to the list in the near future.
“Customer service cannot be isolated to an individual business because shoppers do not just visit one shop but a variety. Ensuring that the experience they get is consistent wherever they go is vital to a place’s reputation. Working together is key to creating a friendly and welcoming destination that will help attract new and returning visitors to local businesses.”
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