UK training provider the National Coastal Tourism Academy (NCTA) has launched a new online course and information portal to help customer-facing staff working on England’s coasts to better understand the areas they work in and the English coast in general.

Called England’s Coast Ambassador, the learning centre provides facts about local tourist attractions, events and activities for each area and a quiz with 10 multiple choice questions for workers to test their knowledge on the area they work in and others.

There are ten courses in total, including ones on Northumberland, Yorkshire, the East Coast, the South-East and Jurassic Coasts and the South-West. Users can choose one, a number of or all of the courses and can download a certificate upon completion of the course(s).

Lessons feature video content and separate modules on local scenery, natural assets, history and heritage, culture and the arts, nature and wildlife, nearby activities, surrounding towns and villages and an overview of the area itself.

"England’s Coast Ambassador offers visitor-facing staff the opportunity to polish up their knowledge of their region and pick up useful tips on how to look after international visitors. It’s the first time this comprehensive information has been collated in one free, online course across almost all of England’s coastline," said Samantha Richardson, NCTA director.

"Hospitality staff on the coast live in some of the most beautiful parts of the country, attracting visitors from all over the world. As the first port of call, it makes them the best ambassadors to inform visitors of all there is to see and do.

"By completing lessons in other areas, users will be coastal experts. We’ve already had staff at the Dorchester Information Centre complete all 10 Ambassador lessons."

The course is part of a wider project to greater numbers of international visitors to the English coast, particularly off-season, called England’s Coast, which is funded by the national tourist board VisitEngland.