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Better service culture, more tourists

A number of recognised players in the hospitality industry came together to make Heritage Week very special for a small groups of previously unemployed people.
Co-inciding with the start of Namibia’s National Heritage week which started on Monday, the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), together with Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy and some progressive HAN members, including Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino, Wilderness Safaris and Roidina Safari Lodge, kick-started the first 2-week “introduction to basic waitron services” training course for 15 mainly unemployed Namibians.
The basic course gives jobseekers a glimpse into the world of the hospitality and service industry. “Thus far, the service culture has been termed the weakest link of the tourism sector, with service excellence, whether in the tourism sector or any other service industry within Namibia not meeting the high demands of the international community” stated HAN.
“HAN believes it is its duty to invest time, effort and available funds to improve the service culture among Namibians, and has thus called out to its members to come forward with nominees and a willingness to co-sponsor some 15 unemployed or under-skilled Namibians to undergo a 2-week intensive training course in basic hygiene, waitron & bar and service skills.”
The training takes the form of hands-on practical learning mainly to match the call by the Namibia Training Authority and the government in general for Namibian businesses to become involved in vocational training.
“By providing this group of Namibians with urgently needed service skills, HAN believes it will increase their self-confidence and pride, opening up employment opportunities in the service industry and instilling in them a service culture that they and Namibia in general can benefit from” said the association.
The association said this is not only a valuable contribution to the activities of Namibia’s National Heritage week, but also a worthy investment in the service culture and service excellence.
Next Friday, 30 September, the trainees will be assessed by serving invited guests from the tourism sector and the media. The successful candidates will be issued with a certificate from Silver Spoon Hospitality Academy, itself a City & Guilds accredited training institute.
“A Service Culture is a key element influencing the level of success of the tourism industry. The lack of, or low level of service delivery is often the only aspect receiving criticism from travellers and guests visiting Namibia. Together with the industry, the Hospitality Association of Namibia is keen to see the country and its people provide service excellence that we all can be proud of.”.
The course runs for two weeks, and ends with an assessment and certification on Friday, 30 September 2016.

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