Award for tourism network

Award for tourism network

New Zealand’s official visitor information network, i-SITE, won recognition from industry training organisation ServiceIQ, with the Invercargill i-SITE receiving the Staff Professional Development Award.

Presented at the annual i-SITE conference, the award recognises the Invercargill i-SITE for its commitment to up-skilling staff. Over the past few years they have enrolled trainees in Level 4 Tourism qualifications as well as Front Line Management Levels 3 and 4, and progressing through to the Tourism Business Practice qualification. Invercargill i-SITE has unrivalled levels of staff professional development in 2013.

By investing in staff training, Invercargill i-SITE has shown commitment to ensuring that visitors to the city will have a great customer service and tourism experience, as well as giving its team nationally recognised qualifications.

The country’s 80-plus i-SITE centres provide international visitors, domestic travellers and locals with comprehensive, up-to-date information and a New Zealand-wide booking service for activities, attractions, accommodation and transport. They are managed by Tourism New Zealand and accredited members must meet standards in staff training, professionalism and information technology.

Tourism is one of New Zealand's largest export industries, second only to the dairy industry in terms of foreign exchange earnings. The $23.4 billion industry directly employs 6.2 per cent of the New Zealand workforce and indirectly employs a further 3.4 per cent.

ServiceIQ, as the ITO for tourism and travel supports i-SITES with nationally recognised qualifications says Dean Minchington, ServiceIQ CEO. “As Tourism New Zealand recognises, it’s vital that people have the skills and knowledge to do their job well. Every day, Kiwis and visitors to New Zealand alike interact with people in the tourism and other service sectors. If those people have the skills and knowledge to excel and provide a memorable tourism, travel or other service experience then the reputation of that business and of New Zealand grows.”

For more information on i-SITE New Zealand visit www.tourismnewzealand.com/developing-your-tourism-business/i-site-new-zealand/

ENDS

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