Theta shuffles staff, starts new programme

THE Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education & Training Authority (Theta) has restructured certain of its departments, according to its February newsletter. James Parker has moved from the Tourism Learnership Project (TLP) to manage the affairs of the following chambers: hospitality, tourism and travel services, gambling and lotteries and conservation and guiding. Gillian Gilbert has been appointed project operations manager of the TLP, while Colin Knowles (formerly accreditation manager) is now quality assurance field specialist. Fiona Miles, who was administration manager, has taken over as quality manager. Meanwhile, SA Host, a two-day programme managed by Theta under the TLP banner, has been off to a good start in this country with workshops held in December and January eliciting great response from more than 100 delegates. "The key to customer care is giving customers more than they expect. This innovative programme teaches staff of customer-driven businesses how to capture the hearts and ongoing loyalty of the customer," says SA Host project leader, Tina-Marie Trevenen. Implementation is through local host partnerships, which ensure that the programme is relevant to a particular community. Specially trained leaders in each community are chosen to deliver the workshop. SA Host is planning several workshops in the coming months, including three leader training sessions in the Western Cape and Gauteng from the end of February. It is also preparing to assist the Johannesburg World Summit Company (Jowsco) in the training of 5 000 volunteers for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development. For more information on the two-day workshop and leaders programme, email: yolande@theta.org.za . (Miguel de Sousa)