Hospitality and leisure businesses on Westside have been invited to get into their starting blocks for a new training programme ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The Getting Games Ready programme aims to help businesses across the West Midlands to deliver an unrivalled visitor experience during the Games, which run from July 28 to August 8.
The training programme, which has 7,000 free places available, is set to attract interest from hospitality businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants in readiness for the influx of visitors.
An estimated 2.5 million visitors are expected to engage with the Birmingham 2022 Festival, with a further 1.2 million people experiencing the Games themselves.
Businesses on Westside are expected to be at the forefront of the invasion of people, particularly with a number of Games events also on its doorstep.
Nearby Arena Birmingham in King Edwards Road hosts artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, while a major section of the men’s and women’s marathons goes through the city centre, including part of Broad Street.
Further afield sees the athletics programme, together with the opening and closing ceremonies, at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, and T20 cricket at Edgbaston Stadium.
The Getting Games Ready programme is designed to equip businesses with the appropriate skills and knowledge to create positive experiences for visitors in order to ‘sell’ the region to them and encourage them to return.
Andrew Lovett, Chair of the West Midlands Regional Board for Tourism, said the training programme was an important tool for local businesses to access ahead of the Games.
He said it would allow “visitor-facing staff to enhance customer service skills and local knowledge” of the region.
He added: “This training will ensure that the experiences of visitors to Birmingham and the West Midlands are positive and memorable, encouraging people to return and enjoy our region’s great visitor attractions and world-class hospitality time and again.”
Becky Frall, Head of Visitor Attraction at the West Midlands Growth Company, said the training programme would be interactive and easily accessible, “providing a critical upskilling opportunity as the West Midlands prepares to welcome an influx of domestic and international visitors throughout 2022.”
Westside BID general manager Mike Olley said: “Everyone on Westside shares the excitement of the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham this summer.
“We look forward to welcoming many more visitors to our hospitality and other venues this summer and can assure them of a first-class service during their stay.”
Tourism businesses can secure free places for their employees by visiting www.welcomewm.com.
