Leicester College to train new generation of volunteer tourism ambassadors for Visit Leicester

Leicester College is delivering a new course in customer care and related key skills for Visit Leicester’s new Volunteer Tourism Ambassador programme.

The volunteering scheme is aimed at getting a diverse range of people involved in showcasing heritage events, cultural activities, visitor attractions, venues, and hotels throughout the city. It offers participants a chance to get free training, learn new skills and gain access to tourism events while being part of a busy team promoting the best that Leicester has to offer.

Along with welcoming visitors to the city, work could include providing information, guidance, and recommendations on what to see and do during their visit to the city; conducting tours; sharing local knowledge about the city’s history, culture, architecture and communities; and supporting the city’s annual festivals and events programme.

More details of the tourism volunteer programme are available from Visit Leicester or by contacting Gitte Magielse, Leicester City Council tourism project officer, at Gitte.Magielse@leicester.gov.uk or by phone on 0116 454 0199. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will need to be able to commit to a minimum of 12 volunteering sessions, spread over one year.

Arbaaz Cassim, Business Development and Enterprise Manager at Leicester College, said: “Leicester College has a strong tradition in training students for the travel and tourism sectors, so we’re delighted to work in partnership with Visit Leicester on the customer services element of the programme. This will offer a unique opportunity for local people to help to promote their city.”

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This is a lovely opportunity for people with an interest in tourism, culture and the city’s visitor attractions to get involved in this exciting volunteering project.

"Tourism is a vital part of the city’s economy, bringing in millions of pounds every year, and will play a vital role in showcasing some of our highlights for visitors to Leicester."

Leicester College currently offers Travel and Tourism courses at Level 1, 2, 3 and 5. These courses offer different modules which include areas such as: aviation; cabin crew; resort representatives; travel services; customer service; planning and promoting events and marketing.