VisitBritain 'inundated' with demand for training

Visit Britain, the UK’s tourism board said it has been “inundated” with enquiries from travel agents for its free online ‘BritAgent’ training scheme since its launch in Dubai in September.

An extra 35 agents from 11 travel agencies have now signed up to take part in the programme.

Around forty travel agent heads from agencies including Orient Travel; Al Rais Travel; Al Naboodah Travel; Al Futtaim Travel; Airlink Travel,  Prime Travel and SATA Holidays attended the initial launch of the scheme at the British Embassy in Dubai.

Maher Azizia, manager, SATA Holidays said: “By signing up for this training we hope to improve the performance of our staff in promoting Britain and to try and deliver the right to our customers. If we invest in this initiative correctly and effectively it will improve our business to Britain.”

The free e-learning course is designed to help front-line travel sales staff increase visitor numbers to the UK through a more in depth knowledge of Britain. On completion of the course ‘BritAgent’ status will be awarded to signify expertise in UK travel.

Carol Maddison, UAE manager, VisitBritain described the launch of the training programme as a “complete success”.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for VisitBritain and UAE travel agents to work together. We aim to provide travel agents with the necessary tools to offer improved services to customers, increasing their business and we look forward to meeting other travel agents that may decide to enroll at a later date.”