Ontario Tourism Education OTEC

TORONTO, ON -- Ontario tourism education leader OTEC (Ontario Tourism Education Corporation), now entering its 19th year as Ontario's Tourism Sector Council, Training, and Human Resource Organization, is gearing up to deliver five new programs for the tourism, hospitality and education sectors in Ontario. Nearing the completion of a successful year, with significant new partnerships serving the workforce development and customer service needs for the Province, OTEC is better equipped than ever to help the industry plan and implement effective training and human resource strategies.

According to OTEC's President & CEO Victoria Behune (Lymburner) "OTEC attributes this success to the development of award-winning tourism and hospitality training Ontario programs and key partnerships with industry, government, education, and labour that drive the delivery of the nationally recognized emerit tourism occupational credentialing program in Ontario. Furthermore, OTEC has a dedicated team educated in tourism, hospitality, human resources, capacity development, and business management, as well as expert instructional designers and trainers. This combination of resources and expertise ensures the highest standards are maintained in program design and delivery, and our clients continue to benefit from our programs for many years".

With over 40 different training workshops, including more than 20 focused on customer service skills, service excellence training OTEC has evolved to be a leader in customer service training programs for front line and management. While OTEC's flagship programs have been Service Excellence, SuperHost and OTEC's specialized Designated Trainer Program, OTEC is now recognized for creating a series of Accessible Service Excellence programs for the transit, taxi, municipal, tourism and business sectors to help organizations become compliant with the new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities ACT (AODA). In addition, OTEC's new Maximizing Diverse Teams and Service Excellence for Diverse Cultures ensure businesses deliver service and support to our Provinces' growing multicultural employee and visitor base.

In this challenging economy, it isn't enough to train front line teams in customer service. The entire organization must embrace service quality as a core value in order to survive and earn market share through an economic downturn. With that in mind, OTEC has developed Building a Culture of Service Excellence for managers and Creating Memorable Service Experiences for front line employees. It is anticipated that these

two new workshops will appeal to businesses who continue to strive for service and quality improvements.

Students will also benefit from new programs being introduced by OTEC in 2010. Alister Mathieson, Dean, School of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, at Humber College says "OTEC has recently developed a 30-hour Customer Service Skills training program for Humber College. This entire program will be a foundation in all our tourism and hospitality academic programs. This is an outstanding product using a creative and interactive approach in the delivery of essential customer service skills and knowledge. In my view, it should be a prerequisite for all hospitality and tourism graduates of every university and college in the country."

About OTEC > OTEC is an independent, not-for-profit training and workforce development organization which has evolved from the 2005 consolidation of the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC) established in 1991, and Customer Service Excellence Corporation (CSEC) established in 2001. OTEC is the tourism sector council organization and representative for the Province of Ontario on the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC).

About Online Revealed Canada Online Revealed is the must attend digital

marketing conference for the Canadian Tourism and Travel industry since 2005. Co-Founded and produced by leading digital marketing experts in travel Patricia Brusha and Alicia Whalen with a mandate to advance the Canadian travel industry in marketing tourism online, the conference brings together 45 + Destination marketing organizations, major hotel brands, hotel management companies, attractions, marketing agencies, developers and other travel suppliers together with media giants including Tripadvisor, Google, and Microsoft/BING to explore game changing trends, technologies and innovations in digital media and marketing. Online Revealed is also home to the 6th annual Canadian eTourism Awards and to Game Changer. www.onlinerevealed.com

Victoria Lymburner
President and CEO
416-622-1975 x209
A Couple of Chicks

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