Tourism staff complete Spanish language course
Wed, March 07, 2018
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Visitor Servicing Team and employees from the Rathlin Island Ferry Company are looking forward to saying ‘hola’ to Spanish visitors after completing an introductory language programme.
Participants attended a six-week Northern Regional College course in Sheskburn House, Ballycastle to aid their understanding and help them learn useful phrases.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “I’m delighted to see our tourism team taking such a pro-active approach to providing the best possible visitor experience by working in partnership with our tourism operators. My congratulations go to all of those who completed this course.”
Kerrie McGonigle, Tourism Destination Manager said: “In 2017, there was a marked rise in the number of Spanish visitors choosing to travel to Ireland, and here in the Causeway Coast and Glens we want to ensure we are able to fully meet their needs. Feedback from our course participants has been very encouraging and this partnership approach to learning is of huge benefit to everyone involved. Alongside this training, free maps of the Causeway Coast and Glens are available in a range of languages, including Spanish, German, French, Italian and Mandarin and we will continue to look at other opportunities to enhance our communication with all our visitors.”
Mary O’Driscoll from the Rathlin Island Ferry Company said: “We were delighted to work in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and Northern Regional College to deliver this beginners’ language course to our front line staff. We all enjoyed the opportunity to learn useful phrases which will be of huge benefit to our staff. I have no doubt this will enhance our confidence when we are helping Spanish visitors to make the most of their visit to Rathlin Island.”
Translated free maps are available in Visitor Information Centres across the Causeway Coast and Glens or download from www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com
Representatives from Rathlin Island Ferry Company and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Visitor Servicing Team pictured after completing the six-week Spanish language course with trainer Vanessa Brodie from Northern Regional College.