Rising high above the ocean, winding like a gigantic stone necklace along the Atlantic coast of County Clare, Ireland, stand the Cliffs of Moher. Their breathtaking beauty has endured the elements for 350 million years, making the majestic rocks Ireland’s most visited natural attraction and favourite visitor attraction for 2019 and 2020, as attested by the readers of Irish Independent in consecutive polls.
On Thursday, The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience won another recognition, being awarded the Service Excellence Business Award and the Covid-19 Safety Charter by Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.
A prize pupil
Fáilte Ireland’s Accredited Service Excellence programme is aimed at helping tourism-oriented businesses reach and maintain the highest standards in customer service excellence. To achieve the Service Excellence Business Award, 75 per cent of visitor-facing staff and management in a business must complete Fáilte Ireland’s customer service excellence training.
The Covid-19 Safety Charter aims, on its part, to reassure all visitors that the businesses they visit adhere to the highest safety measures and hygiene protocols. To achieve the Charter, a business must agree to adhere to Fáilte Ireland’s Guidelines for Re-opening and all employees must undertake requisite Covid-19 safety and hygiene control training.
Speaking about the awards, Martina Kerr Bromley, Head of Enterprise and Hospitality Development at Fáilte Ireland, said, quoted by the Clare County Council website: “The way in which businesses are operating now is significantly different. Our Accredited Service Excellence programme has been modified to help businesses to continue to deliver the world-class service our industry is famous for in this new and challenging environment. Never has it been more important to look at service to ensure the visitor experience is the best it can be. From our consumer research, we also know that safety is a key concern for those planning trips across the country and the Covid-19 Safety Charter aims to give comfort and reassurance to visitors that tourism businesses are operating safely.”
Facts and stats
- The Cliffs of Moher rise to 214 m at their highest point and stretch for 8 km over the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Cliffs enjoy the status of a special protected area for seabirds with over 20 species present and many rare plants.
- The Cliffs are part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, a special region with unique geology
- Nestling into the hillside, the visitor centre was built in 2007 in such a way as to be eco-friendly and not obstruct the view of the scenic location. It offers a permanent exhibition which brings the story of the cliffs to life.
Source: TheMayor.EU