The Bermuda Alliance for Tourism (BAT) is pushing for an old idea which, should it be implemented, will force anyone working in the tourism industry ? directly or indirectly ? to undergo "Super Host" training.

BAT's executive director Wayne Smith believes businesses, hotels and even banks would welcome the concept of training those in customer service ? not just in the tourism industry, but virtually anyone who comes into contact with a visitor to the Island.

He said it is vital for Bermuda's tourism industry to ensure that no visitor to the Island ever has a bad experience.

So far, he said, the Taxi Association, Bermuda Hotel Association and the Chamber of Commerce's Retail Division are on board and he emphasised the need for any business to do refresher training, even in tourism.

"People should be taking periodic training in improving customer service and this programme is designed to provide any person with the basic standard in customer service," he said.

A similar programme was introduced in British Columbia where it is now mandatory for anyone working in that region to undergo training.

Mr. Smith said the idea was an old one, first suggested by VIP chairperson Barbara O'Shaughnessy some 15 years ago.

"She's been frustrated at the inability of bringing a formal Bermuda Super Host programme to fruition, but I must credit her for not giving up and staying the course in her efforts to continue to sell the programme," he said.

Mr. Smith added that BAT's product development committee had studied programmes like Super Host and was in the process of obtaining buy-in from all the relevant stakeholders in the industry ? before attempting to launch it on a national scale.

He said the programme would only work on a national scale if all the relevant stakeholders were involved and this included the Unions, transportation providers and all the various Chamber of Commerce divisions.

Mr. Smith added that BAT will still looking at cost, as well as who would provide the necessary training.