Learn about latest developments in tourism at free workshops

Tourism businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire have been invited to a series of strategic and practical workshops at the annual Leicester and Leicestershire Tourism Forum.

Topics for the workshops include accessibility, quality and grading, and customer service training. There will also be a specific workshop for tourism businesses to find out more about how they can get involved in VisitEngland's 20.12% campaign by working with Leicester Shire Promotions.

• VisitEngland 20.12% campaign
VisitEngland is launching its domestic consumer marketing campaign for 2012 and beyond, aimed at encouraging visitors to holiday at home and will promote attractions, accommodation and events taking place throughout the country during the Olympic year. The campaign is price driven and focuses on the 20.12% or better discounts available. This workshop will be led by VisitEngland and will concentrate on how businesses can develop and promote their offers through local and national campaigns.

• The Visitor Journey - understanding your visitor
This workshop is aimed at small businesses including museums and attractions and will focus on understanding the visitor journey, improving customer service as well engaging with your visitors to develop and improve future relationships.

• The Importance of Accessibility - DisabledGo and VisitEngland
This workshop will concentrate on the growing market of visitors with accessibility requirements; how you can strengthen your customer service, increase your attractiveness and promote your business to this market. This includes being able to provide accurate information to allow people to make informed decisions when planning a visit. The workshop will be delivered by DisabledGo, an award-winning disability organisation.

• The Importance of Quality & Grading - TripAdvisor v traditional grading schemes
The debate on the importance of quality and grading continues to divide the industry. With the introduction of VisitEngland's new Local Entry Scheme and the ongoing prominence of social media sites such as TripAdvisor there are even more questions about the future of grading. Live Tourism, a tourism and leisure consultancy specialising in improving the quality and accessibility of the visitor experience, is leading this workshop which will debate the merits of social network sites, compared to traditional grading schemes.

The Forum is co-ordinated by Leicester Shire Promotions and will be held from 9.30am - 4pm on 7 February 2012 at the National Space Centre in Leicester. Attendance at the Forum costs £15 plus VAT. For more information or to register your interest in attending the Forum and any of these workshops, please contact Seetal Sonigra on 0116 225 4016 or via email at seetal.sonigra@l-p-l.com

Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor will open the event and James Berresford, Chief Executive of VisitEngland will be the keynote speaker. James will be talking about the major new domestic and inbound campaign to promote England as a holiday destination during 2012 and beyond.

The event is supported by the National Space Centre, Leicestershire County Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Charnwood Borough Council.

Following the Tourism Forum, the winners of the Leicester and Leicestershire Tourism Excellence Awards will be announced at a separate ceremony at the National Space Centre. The awards have been established by Leicester Shire Promotions to celebrate the excellent service that the wide range of local visitor attractions, accommodation providers, restaurants and events offer to visitors.