Latest MEA Tourism Training Opportunities

WorldHost Inclusive Service 

Spaces are available for professionals in Mid and East Antrim's Tourism and Hospitality sector to attend a free WorldHost Inclusive Service training session, designed to enhance customer service skills with a focus on inclusivity. Event details:

📍   Location: Carrickfergus Marina Conference Suite
📅 Date: Thursday 6 March 2025
🕤 Registration: Begins at 09:30
⏳ Session: Runs until 16:00 (includes a 30-minute break and lunch)

More information on the course content is available HERE.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If interested, please book by 09:00 on Monday 3 March 2025 by emailing zoe.lindsay@midandeastantrim.gov.uk 

MEA Embracing Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Programme

Programme Outline

The Mid and East Antrim (MEA) Embracing Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Programme has been designed to provide accommodation businesses with the skills to improve the service they offer to customers with a disability and to provide the vital accessibility information these customers need before choosing to visit somewhere for the first time.  Did you know that 95% of disabled people look for accessibility information before going somewhere new or unfamiliar?

This is a pilot programme for small to medium bricks and mortar accommodation businesses and incorporates both a training element and an industry recognised accessibility assessment undertaken by experienced, trained surveyors from AccessAble.   It will run between February and March 2025.   (Please note that the programme is only available for one venue that you own, for example, if you own three self-catering cottages, the discounted assessment can only apply to one).  There are 2 elements to the programme:

Part 1:  Participate in a FREE full day WorldHost Inclusive Service training session with maximum 2 staff members per business.  More information on the training is available here:  www.people1st.co.uk/skills-solutions/worldhost-customer-service-training/worldhost-inclusive-service/

Part 2:  Register online for a discounted onsite accessibility assessment* which will involve an AccessAble surveyor coming to your venue to collect facts, measurements and photographs to enable a Detailed Access Guide to be produced. The Guide is all about giving people factual information, it is not a user review or rating.  AccessAble will also be able to provide you with an Accessibility Improvement Report, giving you some ideas on accessibility improvements for the future, and tips on inclusive marketing. 

You will be required to sign up to a service level agreement and pay directly to AccessAble.  More details here:  https://youraccessibilityguide.co.uk/AboutDAG  

* Please note:   

• As part of the programme, the Council will fund 75% of the cost for your initial accessibility audit. To receive a quick quote for your audit, please complete the online form here: https://youraccessibilityguide.co.uk/GetQuote.  If you are accepted onto this programme, Council Officers will provide you with a discount code to use when placing your final order directly with AccessAble. (If your property has many bedrooms, it is recommended to select only those that are more accessible and suitable for assessment when requesting your quote.)
• Any future updates or ongoing annual costs associated with publicising your information on AccessAble will be the responsibility of the business. (A repeat listing is approx.  £20 to £70 per annum, with actual cost dependant on the property size.  Additional charges will be incurred if surveyor reassessments are needed).

Benefits of the Programme

• Development of skills and knowledge necessary to deliver excellent customer service to a wide range of unique customers.
• A detailed access guide AND an accessibility improvement report to serve your existing customers better and reach new customers.
• Promotion on the AccessAble consumer website with 6M+ audience. - see examples here:  www.accessable.co.uk/ 
• Publicity on the MEA Shaped by Sea and Stone tourism website, which will have a section developed to actively promote accessibility and inclusion.  

Programme Criteria

To be considered eligible for this programme, subsidised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, you will be required to meet the following criteria: 

Essential Criteria

1. An established small to medium accommodation business, with premises located and operational in Mid and East Antrim.  (Excludes hotels)
2. Certified by Tourism Northern Ireland and in operation for a minimum of 1 year.
3. Committed to operating your business for at least another 3 years.
4. Motivated to provide a more accessible and inclusive visitor experience.
5. Have an existing listing on discovernorthernireland.com OR be prepared to get listed before attendance at the WorldHost Inclusive Service training course. (Council Officers will be happy to assist you to get listed.)
6. Provide an outline quotation for your AccessAble assessment by completing this online form: https://youraccessibilityguide.co.uk/GetQuote.  
7. Prepared to send 1 or 2 staff from your business to WorldHost Inclusive Service Training on Thursday 6 March 2025.
8. Agree to permit access to your property by an AccessAble surveyor during a mutually agreeable time in February / March 2025.

As this is a pilot programme and places are limited, a space cannot be guaranteed and should the programme be oversubscribed a further screening process will be undertaken, with applicants assessed against the following additional criteria:

Desirable criteria

1.   Plans to pro-actively market your accommodation to this target market. 
2.   Plans to use these skills and information in the future.
3.   Plans to implement potential improvements recommended by your accessibility assessment in the future.
4.   Committed to annually renew your online AccessAble business listing (costs will apply.)
5.  Existing website provision to upload AccessAble assessment information.

Should there not be an adequate uptake by the accommodation sector, the programme will be opened up to visitor attraction businesses or hospitality businesses within Mid and East Antrim.

Submission Details

Full application form can be found  HERE.   

Closing date for completed application forms is 5pm on Monday 17 February 2025.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will assess all applications against qualifying criteria.  If successful, Council Officers will confirm your place on the programme before 5pm on Monday 24 February 2025. 

Upon acceptance onto the programme you will need to complete a service level agreement and separate registration /payment with AccessAble to conduct your Accessibility Assessment, based on instructions provided by Council Officers.

The WorldHost Inclusive Service course will run on Thursday 6 March 2025 and will be compulsory to attend if you wish to benefit from the full programme.  (Please keep this date free until you hear the outcome of your application.)

Please Note:  Breakdown of Financial Support 

For your quotation you are asked to confirm the number of bedrooms / en-suites you wish to have assessed, but communal areas are included.  Here are a few examples of approximate costs to specific businesses:

Bed & Breakfast / Guest House
1 bedroom – £250 + VAT (£300 inc. VAT)  with 75% Council support = £75
2-3 bedrooms - £325 + VAT (£390 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £97.50

Self Catering or Holiday Home
1 with 1 bedroom  £250 + VAT (£300 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £75
1 with 2-3 bedrooms  £325 + VAT (£390 inc. VAT) with 75% Council support = £97.50

View our previous 2024 training opportunities here.