Training courses are taking place to help the tourism industry recover after the economic slump from Covid lockdowns.

The online courses, provided by Dover District Council, will be from the end of this month until late March.

They are available to the local hospitality sector and leisure businesses and are to boost sales, develop media skills, increase marketing success and deliver the best customer service.

The scheme, with the slogan Bounce Back to Business, is in partnership with the Deal public relations agency Keep Your Fork, Tourism South East and visitor guide group the England’s Coast Project.

Courses include:

The Brand Booster Programme, delivered by Faye Smith of Keep Your Fork. It covers marketing, social media, PR and attracting media attention to a business.

The Welcome to Excellence Programme, delivered by Tourism South East and focusing best customer service.

England’s Coast Ambassador, created by the England’s Coast Project. It features modules for every region of England’s coastline.

Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis with one offered per business per course, initially.

For all relevant course dates, timings and booking advice, visit the Industry Hub on the White Cliffs Country website whitecliffscountry.org.uk

Cllr MJ Holloway, Dover District Council cabinet member for tourism, said: “This exciting initiative forms part of DDC’s collaborative effort to help the tourism industry in White Cliffs Country to respond, re-boot and re-build from the effects of the pandemic.

"These are challenging times for everyone, as we are back in national lockdown, but we are looking forward to a brighter future.

"This initiative further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the local visitor economy, which is recognised as one of the district’s most important assets."

Cllr Holloway also said that this training supported the aims of the council's new Local Plan, A Bold Vision for 2040, which goes for public consultation from next Wednesday.

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