VisitBrighton recruits new wave of City Champions.
VISITBRIGHTON, Brighton and Hove City Council’s tourism arm, is looking for people with local knowledge and a passion for the city to join its team of on-street volunteers, the City Champions. The role involves welcoming visitors and offering help and advice about what to see and do in the city during their stay.
Geoffrey Bowden, chair of the Council’s Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “The City Champion scheme is working really well and it’s fantastic that so many visitors have been helped by our volunteers since its launch. First impressions are so important and a friendly greeting is a wonderful way to project the spirit of Brighton and Hove. We’re extremely lucky to have such a great team on board and look forward to enlisting more enthusiastic residents in this next wave of recruitment.”
Volunteers receive a branded uniform and are stationed at key locations throughout the city, including the Royal Pavilion, Brighton railway station and along the city centre seafront.
Since the scheme was launched in Easter 2014, the volunteer team has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors to the city.
Regular City Champion, Paul, says: “I have been volunteering as a City Champion since the beginning of the scheme. It only involves a few hours each week but it’s given me the opportunity to meet visitors not just from the UK but from all over the world.”
“As a Brighton resident I’m able to give an insider’s guide to the wide range of attractions and activities that make the city such a popular destination so it not only provides a useful service for our visitors, but it’s also very rewarding and great fun.”
City Champion Alan adds: “Having had a lifetime in the hotel industry I’m used to interacting with people from all walks of life. Projecting a warm welcome with a smile, listening patiently and knowing you’ve been of genuine help to someone is extremely rewarding, plus I get to use my limited knowledge of languages occasionally, which is also very satisfying”.
Recruits need to commit to a minimum of six months at a time and be available to cover a variety of shifts, including some weekends. They will need to deal confidently with people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, and have a friendly, helpful and patient attitude.
As well as developing new skills, volunteers will receive a pass giving them free admission into some of the city’s main tourist attractions as well as invitations to tourism networking events organised by VisitBrighton.
For more information, click here:
Or, to have an informal chat, telephone VisitBrighton on 01273 292613.
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