Insider: Five Essential Practices in Accommodating the International Guest
By Sanjay Nijhawan, Chief Operating Officer, Guoman Hotels
Mr. Sanjay Nijhawan
Welcome to the hospitality in the twenty first century: the last twenty years has witnessed the evolution of a global marketplace. A global age demands acute global awareness, keeping up with demands from international guests requires foresight and keen planning.
In a multi-cultural environment problems can occur when differences in hierarchy, status and protocol lead to poor communication and misunderstanding.
Every society has numerous nuances that would make it irresponsible to suggest a uniform approach to understanding any country's social/business customs or etiquette. Yet, having a set of loose guidelines can assist in bettering awareness and avoiding offence.
In my article "Five Essential Practices in Accommodating the International Guest" in the Hotel Business Review, I outline five essential practices that meet the growing demand for multi-cultural awareness within the hospitality industry.
1. Effective linguistic communication and provisions: making things easier for your guest
2. An international menu: recognising and catering to foreign tastes
3. The media: keeping your guests feeling entertained and in touch with the world
4. Provisions for religious and cultural rituals: dealing with your guests religious needs sensitively
5. Diversity training & avoiding cultural faux pas: avoiding common misunderstandings
As advocates of intercultural communication it’s our responsibility to ensure our staff members are trained in, and have a keen awareness of, the needs of the international guest in order to create a multi-cultural haven that guests will want to return to.
Click here to read the full article
Sincerely,
Sanjay Nijhawan
Chief Operating Officer
Guoman Hotels
0870 333 9280
Sanjay.nijhawan@guoman.co.uk
