Volunteers sought to welcome tourists in Olympic-style
The city’s official marketing body, VisitBrighton, is looking to harness some of London 2012’s sporting spirit by introducing its own band of on-street volunteers to provide information, help and advice to visitors. People with passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for Brighton & Hove are now being recruited to add to the city’s reputation as a friendly, welcoming and culturally vibrant city.
The volunteers will be provided with a branded uniform to make them easily recognisable and approachable and will be stationed at key locations throughout the city including the Royal Pavilion, the train station and along the seafront.
Their role will be to welcome visitors and offer help and advice about where to stay and what to see. They will be able to direct people to the nearest Visitor Information Point and provide maps as well as giving information about the latest events and attractions.
Recruits will need to commit to a minimum of six months at a time and be available to cover a variety of rota’d shifts including weekends. They will need to deal confidently with people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities and have a friendly, helpful and patient attitude.
In return for their time, the volunteers will get the chance to develop new skills through ongoing training and at the end of their six month stint receive a certificate of recognition for their work. Other benefits include free admission into some of the city’s main tourism attractions and invitations to tourism related openings and events.
On-street guides are not new to Brighton; in the 1950s a group of smartly dressed models, known as Prommettes, regularly patrolled the seafront at weekends offering advice and answering tourists’ questions, and VisitBrighton already runs a popular Greeter scheme, part of the Global Greeter Network, where volunteers take visitors around the city to show them their favourite places.
Geoffrey Bowden, chair of BHCC’s Economic Development & Culture Committee, says: “This is a great opportunity for people to get involved and share their passion for the city with visitors. The scheme runs successfully in other cities around the world and worked brilliantly in London during the 2012 Olympics where it was suggested the contribution of volunteers turned what would have been a good games into a ‘great’ games and a truly memorable experience for visitors.
“Our volunteers will be there to provide convenient on the spot assistance and give visitors to the city a proper Brighton welcome.”
More details, about becoming a City Champion, and an application form, can be found on the VisitBrighton website or are available on request by telephoning: 01273 292613
About VisitBrighton
VisitBrighton is the official destination marketing body for Brighton & Hove and it is part of Brighton and Hove City Council. VisitBrighton.com was established to provide tourists with details of where to stay, what to see and where to visit during their stay.
The website offers comprehensive information on visiting the city, and also provides exclusive offers and discounted rates on attractions, entertainment and accommodation.
More about VisitBrighton Greeters
The Brighton Greeters scheme offers visitors the chance to explore the city with a helping hand from a city-wise resident who is passionate about all things Brighton & Hove. Visits are approximately two hours long and are completely free.