Home - News & Media - Mercat Tours Celebrates; 30 Years, Accreditation and Outlander
Celebrating their 30th anniversary year, family run Mercat Tours has received external accreditation of their training programme confirming
Mercat staff as the only guides assessed, and verified, by a University in Scotland. This acknowledges the comprehensive in-house training and exceptional visitor experience delivered by their people.
Edinburgh Napier University assessed the rigorous visitor focussed training all Mercat guides receive on recruitment and, in accordance with national SCQF criteria, accredited the programme Postgraduate Certificate in Tour Guiding and Interpretation (Level 10).
Graham Birse, Director of the Edinburgh Institute of Leadership & Management, explained the commitment:
Mercat have always been at the forefront of innovation and quality in the tourism sector and it has been a pleasure helping them to achieve university recognition and standards for their guide training. This award shows the commitment of Mercat, and even more importantly their staff, to making sure they consistently deliver the best possible customer experience on all of their tours. Their commitment to customers, quality and service came across throughout the process, and their investment and commitment to staff development is exceptional for a company of their size.
Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours, speaking on the development:
“Mercat has grown to become renowned for quality, guide-led tours. I’m proud to have our guide’s talent and dedication formally recognised by this qualification whilst also encouraging the industry with assurances of what we can offer their visitors”.
Building on this achievement, Mercat are also launching their most extensive portfolio of tours yet for season 2015/16, including a chance for avid fans of Diana Gabaldon’s hit series ‘Outlander’ to journey through Claire and Jamie’s Edinburgh.
Mercat guides will reveal the sites featured in the historical drama and share the true stories of turmoil and romance during the Jacobite uprising. The UNESCO World Heritage site is backdrop to the series and is explored on the unique storytelling experience.
With guaranteed departures and limited capacity, ‘The Edinburgh Outlander Experience’ is part of Mercat’s tour programme of historical walks and ghost tours which include Edinburgh Castle and, exclusively, the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Alongside this special interest tour, they are also launching a scheduled French tour, expanding on the existing German and Spanish tours offered.
The full portfolio of award-winning, 5 star tours are available to travel with the tour programme confirmed until 31st March 2016. With both freesale for FITs and group rates on offer, Mercat have an experienced team to respond to trade requests.
With a record 91% VisitScotland Quality Assurance grading, National Scottish Thistle Award, Scottish Business in the Community SME of the Year and GTBS GOLD re-awarded for sustainable practise the company looks forward to future growth in 2015.
http://www.mercattours.com/the-edinburgh-outlander-experience.asp
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Note to Editors:
Mercat Tours
@MercatToursLtd
Mercat Tours is an award-winning walking tour company operating scheduled history and ghost tours of Edinburgh, including, exclusively, the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Mercat Tours is a family business and only 5 star walking tour company in Scotland, operating since 1985. Diversifying into bespoke group tours, coach guides, city tours and costumed interpretation new brand ‘Mercat Presents…’ launched in 2013. Outbound educational tours to WWI & WWII battlefields of Europe are operated by Mercat Tours International.
For further information contact:
Kat Brogan
Managing Director
Mercat Tours
28 Blair Street
EDINBURGH
EH1 1QR
Kathleen@mercattours.com
0131 225 5445