Tourism businesses invited to attend coaching workshops to plan for success

Tourism and hospitality businesses in York and Harrogate are being offered coaching workshops with an industry expert to support local businesses growth.

Hotels, B&Bs, self-catering operators, wedding venues, restaurants, spas, visitor attractions and event organisers, can all access dedicated group coaching by attending workshops that will be hosted by Martin Evans of award-winning hotel and tourism marketing consultancy, The Tourism Business.

The fully funded workshops are part of a raft of business support provided by City of York Council and Harrogate Borough Council being delivered by the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub (Y&NY Growth Hub). The workshops will support regional economic development by helping businesses improve competitiveness and productivity to grow, create jobs, and reach new markets.

With multiple events set to take place in York and Harrogate, industry experts will provide practical advice and guidance through six-hour group coaching sessions on managing and marketing tourism, hospitality, and leisure businesses.

Martin Evans has delivered business coaching, mentoring, and training to hundreds of small businesses for over 20 years and was also joint Lead UK Coach on the DTI’s “Profit through Productivity” benchmarking and best practice scheme for tourism businesses.

As a former Marketing Director and Deputy CEO of Yorkshire Tourist Board for five years, he also knows the Harrogate and York districts well. Martin said:

“Tourism, hospitality, and leisure businesses are facing intense challenges with the impact of the pandemic still being acutely felt, and now a cost-of-living crisis changing the behaviours of consumers. So, I’m pleased to be delivering these important workshops to help businesses in the tourism sector navigate these difficult times and secure a strong and successful future.”

The workshops will take place in York on 22nd and 29th November at the Bar Convent Centre, and in Harrogate on 9 November at Rudding Park, and on 24 November, at Harrogate Civic Centre.

A previous attendee said: “Spending time with Martin has been invaluable, for many different reasons. As someone who works alone, to have the input and expertise of someone who is so experienced in this area has offered great support for the business and, almost more importantly, a real coaching and mentoring opportunity for me.”

The fully funded programme is only available to businesses and charities trading or registered in City of York Council or Harrogate Borough Council areas.

Councillor Ashley Mason, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Planning for City of York Council said: “This programme has been developed to support  tourism businesses in York and Harrogate, who have been experiencing unprecedented challenges over the last few years.

“We want to our hospitality and tourism businesses, who play such an important role in the city and the region, to thrive. I would urge eligible businesses to take up this opportunity to learn more about how to overcome current challenges and make the most out of future opportunities and promote York and Harrogate as the fantastic destinations they are.”

Events taking place in Harrogate are Create a World Class Customer Experience on 27 October; Tourism Business Booster Marketing Planning on 9 and 24 November. Events in York are Tourism Business Booster Marketing Planning on 22 and 29 November; and Hospitality four things you need to be doing right now; Create a World Class Customer Experience; and an evening networking event all of which take place on 8 November.

Places are limited, so businesses are urged to register interest early to avoid disappointment via https://www.ynygrowthhub.com/events/cyc-hbc-tourism-booster/.