Taxi drivers and road sweepers could be given specialist training to help guide visitors to Darwin landmarks in the town during the bicentenary celebrations, it has been revealed.
Organisers behind the programme of events to mark the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth want ‘front-line’ workers to be able to give tourists accurate and detailed information about the town’s most famous son. A series of destination training workshops will be launched ahead of the summer to prepare town staff for the influx of visitors.
The aim is for first-time visitors to be able to approach workers and easily find the relevant venues and activities. It is hoped the scheme will provide a tourist boost for the town by producing a friendly and approachable image on the town’s streets, and has previously been used by cities hosting the Olympic Games to make everybody a part of the celebrations.
It has also been revealed that Professor Andrew Parker of the Natural History Museum in London is working with bicentenary organisers as an advisor on a project aimed at school pupils during the Darwin celebrations.
This week project organisers received a boost when £500,000 of funding earmarked by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council was formally released.
The issue was due to be discussed at tomorrow’s inaugural meeting of the implementation executive for the new unitary authority, but on Monday it was revealed the money had already been handed over.
John King, Darwin co-ordinator at the borough council, said: “Destination training is carried out in cities hosting the Olympic Games and Liverpool did something similar for their year as European City of Culture.
“The idea is people who visit the town for the first time will be able to ask people about Darwin and that person will be able to respond accurately and help them on their way.
“The best advert for any destination is word of mouth, and if people who come here for the Darwin bicentenary celebrations can go away and say how friendly a place Shrewsbury is they will encourage their friends to visit the town themselves.”
For more details about the Darwin celebrations call Mr King on 01743 281016.
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