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Earlier today at the National Park Visitor Centre, near Libanus, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority delivered the first of series of day courses to formally launch the UK's first National Park Ambassador Scheme aimed at helping tourism businesses offer outstanding service to visitors.

 Funded by the EU Interreg IVB project as part of Collabor8, the new Park Ambassador Scheme is a series of free on-day training workshops designed to offer local tourism businesses the information they need to engage and inspire visitors to explore the Brecon Beacons National Park.  Nearly 20 local businesses from across the National Park attended today's first 'Sense of Place' course  including representatives from  Blaencar Farm B&B (Sennybridge); The Tower Hotel and Public House (Talgarth); Talybont Stores and The Star Inn (Talybont on Usk). 

 Initially, Park Ambassadors will need to attend three one-day courses held over a year to achieve their National Park Ambassador award. The three core courses are based on Sense of Place; Park in your Heart and Customer Care.

 "We are very excited to launch this new Park Ambassador Scheme which we believe is a first for UK National Parks and possibly the first in Europe" said Carol Williams, Tourism Growth Area Project Officer for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.  "We ran a successful pilot scheme late last year which proved extremely popular and we quickly realised that great customer service and knowledge about this area is essential for local businesses to have when trying to encourage visitors to discover the area.  For several years not there has been a desire to develop a programme like this for tourism related businesses that will provided a deeper understanding of the special qualities of the National Park that can be imparted to our visitors.  Our new Park Ambassadors come from a range of diverse businesses, making them extremely influential when it comes to advising people on how best to enjoy and experience the National Park." she said.

 "So far the courses are already proving popular with over 50 people already fully booking out the January and March intake.  We have had to run additional courses in May 2010 which have spaces still available and basically it will be a case of first come, first serve."

 Cllr William Powell, Member Champion for Tourism for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: "It's really encouraging to see how enthusiastically tourism businesses from across the National Park have been responding to this opportunity. At a time when the wider economic climate is difficult, I'm delighted to see this EU funded Ambassador Scheme being used to support our vital tourism sector, which improves the visitor experience here in the National Park, makes repeat business more likely, and thus contributes to the bottom line. I would urge other businesses that are interested to take advantage of the Ambassador Scheme that is being launched today."

If you are interested in becoming a National Park Ambassador or would like to find out more information please contact Carol Williams on 01874 620 478 or email carol.williams@breconbeacons.org

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