MTA re-launches Merħba

Following last year's success - over 954 key tourism frontliners were trained in customer care and service culture, the MTA's Industry HR Development Unit last week opened its applications for the Merħba tourism awareness and customer care training programme. Interested applicants can apply by calling 2205 4000.

Merħba is aimed at improving customer service knowledge, ability and skills of frontline operational staff in tourism establishments and transport operators. This time round, the MTA will be hosting specific programmes for Gozo as well as individuals employed or seeking employment as group leaders in the EFL sector.

Training, which will be conducted by Misco, will start at the end of this month, while a publicity campaign has just started. It is anticipated that over 650 people will be trained.

Merħba modules were designed in line with the MTA's objective to encourage, develop and implement training programmes for the provision of a better service by tourism frontliners and support services. The modules also follow an important objective of Malta's tourism policy, whereby a hospitable attitude can contribute greatly to a competitive advantage.

The programme also ensures each module is in line with the MTA's three core values, namely hospitality, diversity and heritage. A three-hour professional guided tour will be held at the end of the programme.

This will include a visit to heritage sites and its aim is to provide an opportunity for participants to know more about the tourist offer in Malta and Gozo, a knowledge which they can pass on to tourists.

Merħba is co-funded by the European Social Fund and all training programmes provided are free of charge. The programme is to provide for a holistic approach towards training and human resource development in tourism and tourism-support services.

By the end of the project the authority would have targeted over 1,500 front-liners in the tourism sector.

More information is available from the Industry HR Development Unit on 2291 5125 or by e-mail: training@visitmalta.com.