TOURISM TRADE GETS 'TWEETING'

The local tourism trade has been getting to grips with new social media, in a special training course to demystify and harness the business benefits of sites like Twitter and Facebook.

More than 30 representatives from tourism and crafts businesses across Ards and Down took part in the course which introduced social media and social networks and their potential benefits as tools for marketing, as well as for gaining and responding to customer feedback.

The training session was organized by the tourism services of both Ards and Borough and Down District Councils and is one of a series aimed at raising awareness of opportunities for the local industry, from ecotourism to customer service excellence.

"With increasing numbers of people using social networking sites to share information and ideas, as well as the growth of web sites generally, blogging and podcasts, businesses need to understand what these tools are and how they can use them to boost their businesses," said Emma Rollins, Assistant Tourism Development Officer with Ards Borough Council. "This training session aimed firstly to take any of the mystery away from new social media tools and to explain how they can be used to a business' advantage. Those who attended the session will be going away better informed and better able to develop the opportunities presented by social media".

The social media training course took place on Thursday 28 January and was organised jointly by Ards Borough Council and Down District Council. Anyone who would like to know more about training for the tourism industry should contact Ards Tourist Information Centre on 028 9182 6846 or or Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre on 028 4461 2233.