To ensure the best experience for people visiting Geraldton, local cruise ship tour guides will undertake specialised training to become accredited as a WA Shorex Guide.
Funded by Tourism WA, the short training course will be delivered by Tour Guides WA to Geraldton community members and volunteers.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the training would ensure an even better shore experience for cruise ship visitors.
“Our tour guides are absolutely imperative to the experience that thousands of tourists from cruise ships have here in Geraldton,” he said.
“Every year we are getting more and more cruise ships stopping here and the benefits to our local economy are huge.
“It is important for us to help facilitate and grow the skills of our wonderful tour guides as they are ambassadors for our community and often create the first impression of our town.”
Tour Guides WA will deliver the specialised one-and-a-half day training program they have developed to provide a pool of ‘cruise ready’ WA Shorex Guides.
Once training is completed, these guides will be assessed to hold and maintain Guiding Organisations Australia’s Tour Guide Accreditation, affiliated with the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, and recognised internationally.
Tourism WA’s cruise spokesperson Christine Cole said tour guides have a very important role to play in the overall success of a cruise itinerary.
“Cruise lines consider unique landside visits an integral element of the overall cruise experience,” she said.
“Tour guides conducting shore tours need specialised skills to make sure cruise passengers have a memorable visit.”
With over 20 years experience in the industry, President of Tour Guides WA Mrs Cherie Toovey will facilitate the program.
Over the last four years, Mrs Toovey has facilitated Tourism WA’s State-wide delivery of three phases of ‘Welcoming Cruise Passengers to the West’ workshops across the State’s nine active port destinations.
Tour coach drivers, tourism attraction guides, cruise ship meet and greet volunteers and others in the community interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity are invited to contact Cruise Ship and Visitor Information Officer at the Geraldton Visitor Centre, Joanne Brown, via email GVCmembers@cgg.wa.gov.au or telephone 9956 6670.
