Welcome to Excellence

Training the people behind Cumbria’s visitor experience

Welcome to Excellence

Looking to lead your team towards outstanding customer service?

Cumbria Tourism’s Tourism Talent Hub offers three one-day Welcome to Excellence training courses.

We are the county’s only accredited provider of these specialist programmes, the UK’s leading customer service training initiative.

Welcome to Excellence logo - Cumbria Tourism

Welcome Host – One-day course

Welcome Host is a practical, one-day introduction to customer service excellence. For individuals working (or starting) in customer-facing roles, it builds a strong foundation in communication, service standards, problem-handling and customer-oriented thinking.

This customer-service training course aimed especially at people working (or about to work) in customer-facing roles. The course combines inspirational presentations, group activities and individual action planning. It’s designed to be engaging and practical.

Topics covered include:

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Understanding your customers

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Delivering excellent service

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Communication (verbal, written, body language)

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How to give clear information/advice

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Meeting varied customer needs (accessibility, different ages, cultures)

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Handling complaints and difficult situations

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Ways to boost business through repeat custom and referrals

IN-HOUSE
Bespoke training courses for groups of 12 employees.

£795.00 + VAT for CT Members
£995.00 +VAT for Non-CT Members

OPEN COURSES

Joined by fellow professionals from the hospitality and tourism industry on the same course.

£90.00 for CT Members
£114.00 for non-CT Members

Contact Rob Davies for details: rdavies@cumbriatourism.org

Welcome Host Gold- One-day course

Welcome Host Gold is aimed at people working in tourism, hospitality, leisure, travel or any customer-facing role.

It’s designed to be highly flexible and adaptable, meaning it can be tailored to the needs of different businesses. The course uses interactive training styles — group exercises, action planning, discussions — so participants can learn skills they can apply on the job immediately.

Topics covered include:

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Develop proactive communication skills

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Recognise different customer expectations and how to meet them

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Better understand their frontline sales and service role

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Be confident in effectively tackling difficult situations

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Learn why teamwork is vital in a customer-facing environment

Top 5 Benefits of Completing Welcome Host Gold:

  1. Improved Communication Skills & Customer Handling
    Participants gain greater confidence in handling challenging or difficult situations.
  2. Better Understanding of Customer Needs and Expectations
    The course helps staff recognise that different customers have different expectations — and teaches how to meet or exceed them.
  3. Consistent Delivery of High-Quality, “Service Excellence”
    By covering service standards, first impressions, inclusivity and accessibility, the course teaches a high standard of customer service across all customer interactions.
  4. Sales & Business Growth Benefits
    The course doesn’t just cover “service” — it also addresses how to act as an ambassador for your business.
  5. Professional Recognition & Staff Motivation (Qualification Option)
    For employers, having a qualified, trained workforce can improve service quality, motivate staff, and help “quality-assure” that customer service is understood and delivered properly across the team.

IN-HOUSE
Bespoke training courses for groups of 12 employees.

£795.00 + VAT for CT Members
£995.00 +VAT for Non-CT Members

OPEN COURSES

Joined by fellow professionals from the hospitality and tourism industry on the same course.

£90.00 for CT Members
£114.00 for non-CT Members

Welcoming All Customers – One-day course

The course is designed to help businesses and staff understand and meet the accessibility and inclusion needs of all customers — including people with a wide range of disabilities.

  • It provides practical advice and training, so participants gain the confidence to welcome and serve customers with diverse needs.
  • Delivery includes a mix of presentations, group activities, practical tips, and individual action planning — rather than just lectures.
  • Course content covers: understanding disability & accessibility, legal obligations (under Equality Act 2010), effective and inclusive communication, offering appropriate services and assistance, and promoting/marketing accessibility.

The topics covered in detail include:

Attitudes & behaviours; understanding different kinds of disability; accessibility as good business; understanding the law; communication (verbal and written) with people with visible or hidden disabilities; providing accessible services (including assistance dogs); and how to market and communicate what accessibility your business offers.

The goal is to make your workplace inclusive, welcoming and accessible so that visits are a “great experience for everyone.”

IN-HOUSE
Bespoke training courses for groups of 12 employees.

£795.00 + VAT for CT Members
£995.00 +VAT for Non-CT Members

OPEN COURSES

Joined by fellow professionals from the hospitality and tourism industry on the same course.

£90.00 for CT Members
£114.00 for non-CT Members

Contact Rob Davies for details: rdavies@cumbriatourism.org

Don’t just take our word for it…

"The Welcome Host Gold training was truly eye-opening. It helped us rethink our visitor experience, sparked new partnership opportunities, and inspired real improvements across our facilities. A valuable course for any tourism business."

Tom McAvoy, Maryport Golf Club

 

“The Welcome Host training was a great opportunity to collaborate as a team across all parks, identify areas for improvement as a business with great innovation, along with revisiting the importance of excellent customer service and brand awareness to ensure the customer has the best experience from the very beginning of their journey”

Gemma Burns, Holiday Bookings Manager, Holgates