Online training to help tourism businesses welcome customers with assistance dogs

Tourism and hospitality businesses across Fife are being encouraged to take part in a free online training session designed to improve understanding and confidence when welcoming customers with assistance dogs.

The one‑hour session, Welcoming Customers with Assistance Dogs, is being delivered by Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) and will take place on Tuesday 29 April, from 11.00am to 12.00pm.

Although led by ETAG, the session is open to businesses operating within the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region, including Fife, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian.

The training focuses on practical, real‑world guidance for front‑line tourism and hospitality staff, helping businesses to create welcoming, inclusive and legally compliant visitor experiences for people with sight loss and assistance dogs.

Topics covered during the session will include:

• The challenges faced by people with vision impairment
• An introduction to common eye conditions
• Access rights relating to assistance dogs
• Sighted guiding techniques
• Practical tips for supporting customers with sight loss
• How businesses can engage more closely with Guide Dogs

The session is particularly aimed at business owners, managers, visitor‑facing staff and those responsible for customer service or diversity and inclusion, with a maximum of two participants per business.

Improving awareness around assistance dogs and visual impairment supports wider efforts to make Fife a destination where all visitors feel confident, respected and welcome. Ensuring staff understand access rights and best practice also helps businesses meet their legal responsibilities while delivering high‑quality service.

Advance registration is required, and places are limited.

Find out more and register via Eventbrite:
https://www.etag.org.uk/event/etag-business-briefing-welcoming-customers-with-assistance-dogs/