VisitBritain selects travel agents for training

Twenty-five travel agents in Dubai and 15 from Abu Dhabi have been specially selected by VisitBritain to take part in its new training programme, which is officially launching at the end of September with a ceremony at the British Embassy in Dubai.

The free, online training course aims to turn the travel agents into ‘UK experts’, and is designed to help front-line sales staff increase visitor numbers to the UK through an in-depth knowledge of Britain.

The programme is being launched as part of a general drive to highlight awareness of the UK ahead of the 2012 London Olympics. It consists of three modules followed by a quiz. Agents that successfully complete the course will be awarded ‘BritAgent’ status, signifying expertise in UK travel.

“Travel agents play a crucial role in assisting our visitors to plan and book their holidays to Britain,” said Carol Maddison, UAE Manager, VisitBritain. “By launching the BritAgent Specialist Programme in the UAE, we are able to provide travel agents with the necessary tools to offer improved service to customers, consequently increasing their business." 

She added: “With HM Consul General Guy Warrington hosting and launching the BritAgent Programme at the British Embassy in Dubai, and Ambassador Dominic Jermey in Abu Dhabi during the first week of October, we are emphasising our total commitment to the travel trade industry. It is very important in helping us achieve our objectives of increasing tourism traffic and increasing the spending of travellers to the UK."