tips for greeting international visitors
In 2016 international visitors spent nearly $19,000,000 on Martha’s Vineyard, up by 3.1% from 2015 and representing nearly 18% of our overall visitor spend. In fact, Massachusetts outpaced the rest of the country with international visitors by nearly 30%. Massport reported that Boston’s Logan Airport saw in increase in domestic visitors of 6%, but 19% of international visitors!
Since international visitors stay longer and spend more – nearly twice as much as domestic visitors – let’s be sure to roll out the welcome wagon and make our international visitors feel at home on the Vineyard!
You may have seen the flags on our homepage, each representing a welcome page designed to greet vacationers from top visitation countries. Additionally, the Chamber’s Annual Travel Guide is distributed in 8 countries every year!
Here are some suggestions:
Massachusetts is 6th in the country for international visitation and is a central partner with Brand USA. Every individual and situation are of course unique, and these ideas may not work for everyone, nor will they anticipate all potential problems. The important thing to remember is that as with any visitor, if international guests have a pleasant experience on the Vineyard, they are more likely to encourage friends and family to visit as well.
Language
This may be the biggest hurdle to clear in serving international guests. If you are met with guests with limited English language skills, try to exercise patience. Simplify your word choice, avoiding slang or idioms. Speak slowly and clearly – not loudly, this could be interpreted as being offensive. Know which members of your staff have any language skills – even basic knowledge can be a help. Writing important information down or having it printed in guest rooms, can do much to ease misunderstanding: many people read English much better than they can speak or understand it.
Transactions
Though it’s hard to generalize, international visitors may be more likely to complete transactions with cash rather than credit cards. Prepare for this as best as you can. In a related sense, tipping is something that varies widely from one country to the next. Where appropriate, posting suggested gratuity percentages on receipts or menus can do much to avoid misunderstanding and offense on both ends.
It’s the Little Things
Don’t get lost in translation. Find out what languages your team members speak, and put their skills to use when needed.
Accommodations can provide international guests with insider tips of some kind. Don’t worry, this can be done in English and placed in their room or handed to the guest upon check-in. Suggestions include: your own business’ basic information (address and phone number) including things like complimentary meal times, smoking policies, a number for a reliable taxi service, the VTA bus schedule, and other services, and any other relevant information you think might be useful.
Be respectful of cultural differences. Train your staff to be sensitive to cultural differences. For example, free refills are uncommon in England, so your British guests might bristle when a server automatically brings a fresh soda. Another big difference is tipping, which isn’t customary in many countries. It’s ok to state on your menu that tipping is a common practice in the USA, but ok for the server to suggest a tip.
If you don’t already have them, consider purchasing a selection of power outlet adapters or a few universal adapters.
A smile means friendship to everyone. A universal smile and a warm greeting are the simplest way to welcome international travelers – or any guest for that matter.
Since international visitors stay longer and spend more – nearly twice as much as domestic visitors – let’s be sure to roll out the welcome wagon and make our international visitors feel at home on the Vineyard!
You may have seen the flags on our homepage, each representing a welcome page designed to greet vacationers from top visitation countries. Additionally, the Chamber’s Annual Travel Guide is distributed in 8 countries every year!
Here are some suggestions:
Massachusetts is 6th in the country for international visitation and is a central partner with Brand USA. Every individual and situation are of course unique, and these ideas may not work for everyone, nor will they anticipate all potential problems. The important thing to remember is that as with any visitor, if international guests have a pleasant experience on the Vineyard, they are more likely to encourage friends and family to visit as well.
Language
This may be the biggest hurdle to clear in serving international guests. If you are met with guests with limited English language skills, try to exercise patience. Simplify your word choice, avoiding slang or idioms. Speak slowly and clearly – not loudly, this could be interpreted as being offensive. Know which members of your staff have any language skills – even basic knowledge can be a help. Writing important information down or having it printed in guest rooms, can do much to ease misunderstanding: many people read English much better than they can speak or understand it.
Transactions
Though it’s hard to generalize, international visitors may be more likely to complete transactions with cash rather than credit cards. Prepare for this as best as you can. In a related sense, tipping is something that varies widely from one country to the next. Where appropriate, posting suggested gratuity percentages on receipts or menus can do much to avoid misunderstanding and offense on both ends.
It’s the Little Things
Don’t get lost in translation. Find out what languages your team members speak, and put their skills to use when needed.
Accommodations can provide international guests with insider tips of some kind. Don’t worry, this can be done in English and placed in their room or handed to the guest upon check-in. Suggestions include: your own business’ basic information (address and phone number) including things like complimentary meal times, smoking policies, a number for a reliable taxi service, the VTA bus schedule, and other services, and any other relevant information you think might be useful.
Be respectful of cultural differences. Train your staff to be sensitive to cultural differences. For example, free refills are uncommon in England, so your British guests might bristle when a server automatically brings a fresh soda. Another big difference is tipping, which isn’t customary in many countries. It’s ok to state on your menu that tipping is a common practice in the USA, but ok for the server to suggest a tip.
If you don’t already have them, consider purchasing a selection of power outlet adapters or a few universal adapters.
A smile means friendship to everyone. A universal smile and a warm greeting are the simplest way to welcome international travelers – or any guest for that matter.
