In addition to offering on-site assessments of visitor attractions, VAQAS also offers training and advisory services to the industry. Quality Awareness Days (QAD’s) are one day, practical workshops developed and operated by VAQAS to enhance quality and spread best practice throughout the industry. The days are designed for owners, managers and operators of all types of visitor attractions and tourism professionals at area, regional and local level. They offer an insight into how quality is assessed with comparisons drawn from all segments of the attraction industry. Two experienced VAQAS assessors operate Quality Awareness Days. QAD's are held at a suitable host attraction. The host must be able to accommodate up to 20 persons with a suitable meeting room, preferably have indoor and outdoor aspects, as well as catering and retailing facilities. Refreshments and lunch are required on the day. QAD's operate from 10.30 until 3.30 and include a 2-hour structured walk-round of the host attraction. The walk-round is not a guided tour but rather a detailed analysis of the quality of the visitor experience from arrival and first impressions to exit and last impressions. The walk-round focuses on best practice for visitor information, presentation, interpretation and customer service, and includes examples of visitor flow management, signage as well as catering and retail. The host attraction, which may or may not be in VAQAS, must therefore offer a variety of areas to ensure delegates can relate to their own experiences. QAD's help stimulate discussions and illustrate how the quality of the visitor experience can be developed through practical enhancements to existing standards. Many of these examples are surprisingly low cost and simple to implement. To date, over 70 QAD's have been delivered on behalf of RDA’s, Destination Management Organisations, Regional Tourist Boards, Local Authorities, Attraction Associations and Regional Consortiums. Days have been held throughout England from Ford and Etal Estate in Northumberland to Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park in Dorset, and at a variety of locations including Heritage attractions, science parks and museums. Delegates benefit from advice and sharing of best practice and the networking opportunities that VAQAS Quality Awareness Days provide. To learn more about how QAD’s can benefit your attraction or destination e-mail vaqas@visitbritain.org. | 
