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Driving tourism excellence in Winchester

Winchester taxi drivers interested in enhancing their customer satisfaction levels and securing more repeat business can benefit from a FREE one-day customer care training course, Welcome to Winchester, taking place on Monday 14 April at the West Wing, Winchester Guildhall (adjacent to the Broadway taxi rank).

Welcome to Winchester has been organised by Winchester City Council's tourism service in conjunction with the regional tourism agency, Tourism South East.
It has been specifically tailored to the needs of taxi drivers based in the Winchester district using the nationally recognised Welcome Host programme.

The course, a version of which was piloted in Southampton and Portsmouth, will help drivers to hone their customer service skills and improve their knowledge of what the Winchester district can offer visitors.

Alison Woods, Winchester City Council's Tourist Information Centre Manager said:

"First impressions are important and a taxi ride often provides the visitor's first impression of our lovely city. Our taxi drivers already provide a great service but this course could help make the service even better: an outstanding service for an outstanding city."

Eloise Appleby, Winchester City Council's Head of Cultural Services added:

"We are committed to raising standards across the tourism industry, and have taken a lead in doing so with our award-winning tourist information centre. Better service should mean more business, and we are keen to see all local businesses benefit from visitor spend in the district. As a City Council we already work closely with taxi drivers in a licensing role, and we hope this opportunity will strengthen and develop that relationship."

For further information, visit www.welcometoexcellence.co.uk or pop into Winchester Tourist Information Centre. Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book your place simply contact Gill Heighington at Tourism South East on tel: 023 8062 5436 or email: gheighington@tourismse.com

Notes to Editors:

1) For further press information about the event, contact Winchester City Council's Tourist Information Centre Manager, Alison Woods, on 01962 848 347 or email awoods@winchester.gov.uk

2) For further information about training opportunities in the Tourism South East region (covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex) log on to www.industry.visitsoutheastengland.com/site/skills-and-training or contact Gill Heighington at Tourism South East on tel: 023 8062 5436 or email: