VisitBritain, the national tourism agency responsible for the promotion of the country as a holiday destination, has unveiled a series of tips as to what the hospitality industry can do to make the influx of guests around the 2012 Olympics feel welcome.

Packaged as an online resource and geared towards hoteliers and restaurateurs – helping them deliver an efficient and welcoming customer services that is also sympathetic to cultural needs – the tips are based upon research showing that whilst former and current visitors see British people as honest, funny and kind, they would sometimes like to be made to feel more at home.

Written by staff who are natives of some of the countries mentioned, sample tips include:-

- Pay particular consideration when pouring wine for an Argentinean, as there are a number of subtle social taboos that may not be appreciated, for example, pouring wine backwards into a glass demonstrates hostility.
– Visitors from Hong Kong may interpret winking gestures as being rude.
– Resist saying thank you to a Chinese compliment. Polite denial is the most appropriate of responses, which will be mirrored if you choose to return a compliment a Chinese visitor.

Given that foreign tourists spend a reported £16 billion a year in the country according to VisitBritain’s chief executive, Sandie Dawes, it is important that we are better aware of the subtle differences that can make our visitors feel more welcome. This is particularly the case in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics, which is expected to attract a significant volume of followers from all corners of the globe.

Posted by Phil on the 18th August 2010