Sep 27 2012 by Lois York, Flintshire Chronicle
A HOTEL owner from Flintshire is spearheading a new campaign to turn the area into a top five UK destination for visitors.
A key part of the strategy is to recruit hospitality ambassadors to help attract more youngsters to work in tourism.
Among the six new tourism champions who’ve already been enlisted are Tony Holland, proprietor of the Northop Hall Country Hotel and Sarah Matthews, the hotel’s assistant food and beverage manager.
By next March it’s hoped there will be 22 hospitality ambassadors trained and ready to visit schools to talk to 14 to 16-year-olds about their experience working in the industry.
Potential ambassadors are being sought for two one-day training courses in October at the Northop Hall Country House Hotel on Tuesday, October 23, and The Castle Hotel, Conwy, on Wednesday, October 24.
The idea of creating hospitality ambassadors to inspire a new generation is believed to be a first of its kind in the UK. The project is being run by Tourism Partnership North Wales in conjunction with Careers Wales.
They are looking for managers or entrepreneurs who are already working in tourism who can act as role models and mentors.
Tony said: “It is vitally important to let young people know there are brilliant career opportunities in tourism – it is not a second best option.
“The time to get them thinking about a career in tourism is when pupils are looking at their options for GCSE.”
Project manager Alan Davies added: “Our hospitality ambassadors are committed to helping us raise the profile of a career in the hospitality industry, emphasising that it offers really good prospects and encouraging young people to see us as a first choice career option.
“They are people who have a real passion for the industry and are excellent role models.”
For more information about the scheme or the training course, call the Tourism Partnership North Wales on 01745 585440 or email Alan Davies, the project manager, at alan.davies@tpnw.org.