Castletown House in Cellbridge has become the first Visitor Attraction Centre in Kildare to complete Fáilte Ireland’s Accredited Services Excellence Programme. The Programme is aimed at helping tourism attractions and businesses reach the highest standards in customer care, which can result in major benefits such as business growth, additional repeat business, increased visitor spend and positive recommendations.
Speaking at the presentation of the accreditation to Castletown House, Martina Bromley, Head of Enterprise & Hospitality at Fáilte Ireland said that the Programme is an important aspect of Fáilte Ireland’s business development and training supports.
“The Accredited Service Excellence Programme is aimed at helping tourism businesses strengthen competitiveness and to help differentiate Ireland from its international competitors as a location where the customer is at the centre of everything a business will do. It provides an opportunity for the Irish tourism industry to be recognised for ‘best in class’ customer service and great visitor experiences and we are delighted to present Castletown House with its accreditation.”
Pauline Kennedy, Supervisor Guide at Castletown on accepting the Award said that the presentation of the accreditation was recognition of the dedication of the guiding team from the OPW at Castletown House to maintain excellence in customer service.
“Today’s accreditation from Fáilte Ireland is testament of the hard work and dedication of our knowledgeable and professional team of guides. At Castletown House, we have always considered the public to be at the core of everything we do. The awarding of the accreditation will help ensure that our customer service continues to deliver excellence and ensures that every customer has a memorable experience when they visit.”
The Accredited Service Excellence Programme is suitable for all management and front facing staff in a tourism related business who come into contact with visitors. The Award can be achieved in three ways:
• Individual Award – for individual staff upon completion of a full day or online workshop;
• As a Business Award whereupon 75% of front facing staff have completed the Programme;
• As a Destination Award - where a number of set criteria are met and where an agreed level of key businesses in the area have achieved the business award.
NOTE: Castletown House is the largest and most significant Palladian style country house in Ireland. The house is located in Celbridge, Co.Kildare and was built in 1722 by William Connolly, speaker of the Irish House of Commons. The Office of Public Works (OPW) accepted the property on behalf of the State in 1994 and is engaged in an extensive and ongoing conservation programme at Castletown. It is one of the OPW’s most popular and visited attractions.
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