Staff at incoming Tour Operators trained in selling London Theatre and attraction tickets.
Staff working at key incoming tourism agencies will be giving foreign visitors a better informed view of in London’s theatreland in future, thanks to a new training academy set up by Encore Tickets.
The staff members are given a full day’s training by Encore – the capital’s largest supplier of theatre and attraction tickets – which concentrates on the stage shows and many attractions available in London. Graduates who successfully complete the course are presented with diplomas and are better equipped to promote the West End product to their clients.
Said Yasmin Estaitih, Travel Trade Sales Manager: “With so much choice available for visitors to London, and the huge success of our most popular West End shows we felt it was important to give some training to those people on the frontline so they are better able to help their customers have the best possible experience of the city”.
The training is not all desk-bound, as the participants get to meet the stars and go back stage at a top London production, learn how to get the best value for their customers from Encore’s booking experts and even experience a dinner in a West End restaurant to see how a combined dinner and theatre ticket can add even more value to an evening on the town.
The first set of graduates have just qualified from the newly setup Academy and represent leading key incoming tour operators including companies such as: Angela Shanley Associates, Axis and Globe, Golden Tours, Expedia and Travel Connections who bring tourist into London from all over the world.
And it certainly seems to be working. Said one of the successful trainees, Zuzana Zbrankova from ETS (European Travel Services Ltd): “This is a great new idea. I have learnt a lot and I feel extremely confident to successfully promote theatre tickets to my clients. It was great to meet the trade team at Encore Tickets and get a tour around their office, they made us feel welcome. I thoroughly enjoyed our pre-theatre meal at Creation restaurant where the staff was exceptional and the food was delicious. And what better way to finish the evening than with We Will Rock You and meet and greet with the cast. Very educational and an unforgettable experience!”.
Added Yasmin Estaitih: “We are very pleased with the enthusiasm shown by all the graduates on this first course and will be holding more of these throughout the year. London’s West End theatre is a major tourism draw for the capital and its attraction to foreign visitors can only increase if the people selling it are as well informed as possible and understand the commercial opportunities the West End provides”.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.