Visit Chester & Cheshire employees Emma Clarke, Emma Bellis and Caroline Hoppe are celebrating after completing Tourism and Management professional training qualifications.

The three employees of the destination management organisation have each undertaken specific courses to help meet the growing needs of their roles within the firm and to enable them to apply the latest and leading industry practices within the business.

Emma Bellis, Commercial & Events Manager for VCC, and Emma Clarke, Head of Business Performance, Research & Intelligence for the organisation are some of the first students in the country to have both completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Destination Management which was part funded by the NWDA.

This new course, developed by the Tourism Management Institute, has received national recognition within the tourism industry for its challenging approach on how to manage and market a destination.

Emma Clarke, who lives in Whitchurch, comments on the experience of undertaking the distance learning programme: “As a mum of two who works full time it has definitely taken a lot of willpower to complete the course, yet I have already found it very useful in helping me take the next step in the organisation and become more strategic.

“By making me think about how we do things as destination management practitioners, and why, I feel that I have a greater understanding of the visitor economy in Cheshire which will help me offer even more for the region through my role.”

Emma Bellis, who currently lives in Tarporley, adds: “As some of the first students nationally to complete this course we are very lucky to be part of this programme which is helping tourism organisations across the country grow and I’ve found it directly relevant to my day to day work. Visit Chester & Cheshire has offered us all great support in completing our courses and have even part funded our study for the Diploma this year with Business Link.

“I also recently qualified as an Executive Business Coach with the International Coaching Academy and the experience gaining these two qualifications has given me will hopefully be useful to our members.”

Emma Clarke and Emma Bellis will now go on to complete their Postgraduate Diploma in Destination Management over the next 12 months, and hope to achieve their Masters in 2011.

Project Manager, Caroline Hoppe, who lives in Chester has recently completed her MSc in Management. By studying for the course full time, and with part funding by Visit Chester & Cheshire, Caroline was able to complete the Masters in just 12 months, achieving the highest grade of Distinction.

“By studying at the same time as working full time I was able to contextualise the theories of my course during the day to day practicalities of my job right from the start. As it has been so time intensive, the study has been challenging but I have already been able to apply my newly found skills as Project Manager for Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction. On a personal level it’s also been a great achievement as I’m the first person in my family to achieve a Masters.”

Visit Chester & Cheshire’s Chief Executive, Chris Brown commented: “Our organisation is driven by its people, and our employees are at the heart of our success in raising the profile of the region. Emma, Caroline and Emma have demonstrated real commitment to their roles and a passion for their region by completing these courses. The organisation is committed to driving the local visitor economy and developing sustainable strategies involving our members; I’m sure these recent academic achievements will enhance our strategic approach both locally and further afield.”

Below: Visit Chester & Cheshire employees Caroline Hoppe, Emma Clarke and Emma Bellis (left - right) celebrate their training success