Murdo's Mission For The Tourist Industry
5th April 2008
He's white, fluffy, goes by the name of Murdo and is on a mission to help businesses in the Highlands and Islands capture a bigger share of the lucrative tourist market.
And while he may be small, this West Highland terrier has taken on the big task as a new canine web-based resource for the region's booming hospitality and tourism sector.
Designed and developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Murdo's main role is to provide a quick and easy web-based information service for the hospitality industry. It is part of HIE's support to local business for Hospitality Assured, the standard for business and service excellence in the hospitality industry.
His job is to track down news on the very latest in customer care, give advice on how hospitality businesses can stay ahead of the game plus plenty of practical tips on how to enhance products and services.
He also provides a quick and easy fetch and carry service. Visitors to his site at
www.hie.co.uk/murdo can leave any questions relating to Hospitality Assured and Murdo will deliver them to a team of specially trained coaches and be back with the answer within 48 hours.
Audrey MacLennan, senior development manager for tourism at HIE says: "There remains massive potential for growth in this region's hospitality industry. The launch of Murdo is all about enabling businesses to raise their game and compete more effectively in what is a fast-changing and competitive market place. This is a unique resource for the hospitality industry in the Highlands and Islands and there's nothing else quite like
it in Scotland."
At the click of a button businesses can learn about everything Hospitality Assured is doing, discover great examples of best practice to enable to offer the very best in terms of service and quality and read up on some of the latest industry news.
There is also a helpful overview of what Hospitality Assured is all about and how to get involved, up-to-date industry news, where to get training and a full list of Highlands and Islands Hospitality Assured accredited companies.
Murdo has been given a warm welcome by the region's tourism and hospitality industry.
Alastair Cunningham of Scottish Clans and Castles Ltd says: "With the pound remaining obstinately high against currencies in our major markets, the need for quality is that much more acute. But how can businesses achieve this in a measured and manageable way?
"A wee dog called Murdo seems to be the answer and the concept is brilliant. When people ask us about our own journey to Hospitality Assured we just refer them to Murdo where you can sign up and start assessing what remains to be done."
www.hie.co.uk/murdo
Related Businesses
Related Articles
A programme of remedial works to bring Scotland's only funicular railway back into service at Cairngorm Mountain is entering a new phase during week beginning Monday 15 April. With the snowsports season now over, multiple teams from contractor Balfour Beatty, appointed by Cairngorm Estate owner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), are set to be deployed on the mountainside.
The five-year agreement between Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will also play a major role in contributing to regional economic growth. The signing of the agreement, by Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, and HIE Chief Executive Stuart Black, follows the official opening of SRUC's Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC), a valued addition to SRUC’s School of Veterinary Medicine, in Inverness by HRH the Princess Royal.
Deerness Distillery Ltd has secured £246,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the £820,000 development. Construction is underway at the distillery, which was founded by husband-and-wife team Stuart and Adelle Brown.
The Co-Chairs of the Inverness Castle Delivery Group, Fergus Ewing MSP and Cllr Ian Brown, are delighted to announce the award of £30,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in support of framing the 57 panels that will form the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands. This financial commitment from HIE has contributed significantly to the preservation of the 57 panels created by communities across the Highlands and Islands, of which 32 will be included in the first exhibition as part of the Inverness Castle Experience.
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector. A funding package has been agreed to secure an estimated £350m in inward investment for Scotland, based in the Highlands.
As part of the study, businesses, community groups and social enterprises with future land or property plans are encouraged to complete a short survey by 22 March 2024. Whether it's interest in land for sale or space to lease, HIE is keen to hear from organisations already based in the region as well as from those that are considering locating a business to the area.
L&M Engineering has secured a grant of £58,914 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the development, which is set to boost business turnover by £1.2m and create two jobs over the next three years. The company is diversifying its operations to cater for additional aquaculture markets.
Most businesses in the Highlands and Islands consider their links with the local community as either equal to or more important than their profitable growth. This is one of the key findings of the most recent rural business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in partnership with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).
Dynamic business support programme, IMPACT30, is aimed at nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovative leaders. The fully funded programme is for people aged under 35 in a young enterprise and in a key decision-making role.
A project to increase electricity supply and reduce emissions on a west coast island has been awarded more than £25,000 by HIE. The HIE funding is being used to replace and upgrade high voltage transformers and other associated equipment to enable a major upgrade of the renewable energy supply on the Isle of Muck.