Tourism in the Banffshire region of Scotland is set to benefit from a London Olympics-style hospitality and customer service training programme for local businesses.

The Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership (BCTP) has launched the initiative for tourism-related businesses in the north east of the country in partnership with WorldHost – which also delivered London 2012 Ambassador training – with the aim to provide higher standards of customer service in the area.

The courses, which have been specifically designed for volunteers and tourism-related business employees, focus on how to best assist visitors travelling from other cultures and countries.

Grants will be made available to assist with associated costs. Upon completion, participants will receive a nationally recognised customer service and hospitality qualification while businesses with a certain number of staff taking the course will be awarded the WorldHost recognised business standard.

The courses are open to everyone working in the area in the tourism and retail sectors with courses starting in February and March.