It’s hard to get the most out of your vacation when you don’t speak the language. It turns an adventure into a headache. Luckily, multilingual communication breaks down barriers for a smoother travel experience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best ways to improve the experience for tourists by making language accessible.
Why Multilingual Communication Matters to Global Tourists
If travelers can’t understand your services, how will they enjoy what you offer?
Breaking down language barriers is one of the quickest ways to offer a more enjoyable trip.
Let’s take a look at some specifics.
1. Makes planning easier
Multilingual websites, brochures, and support lines simplify planning.
Imagine you’re a German tourist who doesn’t speak English. You’re planning a round trip around California. So, you head to the website of an RV rental company in San Francisco.
It would be tough to find the vehicle you need if the information is only available in English.
But if you have a translation option, you can understand what’s available and start booking your trip.
2. Upgrades the travel experience
73% of tourists say they look for more tailored travel experiences. They want their vacations to be personal and inclusive.
Multilingual communication makes non-native speakers feel welcome. When you meet tourist language needs, you show them you’re proactively trying to offer a more comfortable experience.
3. Increases tourist confidence
It’s anxiety-inducing when you can’t communicate effectively.
For a more fulfilling travel experience, you want tourists to feel at ease.
Vacationers feel more confident when they can understand the information about your services.
4. Allows for deeper cultural immersion
Tourists value authentic cultural connections.
It’s easier for tourists to embrace local life when they can access information in their native tongue.
Why Multilingual Communication Matters to Travel Businesses
Customers pick companies that align with their needs. If you want more sales, you need to offer your services in more languages.
Here’s why:
Attracts a Broader Audience
In 2023 alone, the US saw a 30% increase in international tourists compared to the previous year.
The more languages you offer, the easier it is to attract guests from different countries.
*Pro-Tip: Localize the experience by offering multilingual support that meets cultural nuances.
Try professional human translation. These services help businesses talk to different language speakers in ways that meet their cultural preferences.
As Salvatore Giammarresi, Airbnb’s Head of Localization, explains, when a company wants to become more successful globally, it realizes it needs localization to reach multilingual and multicultural users.
The travel accommodation company recently added 33 more languages. It now supports 62 languages, making it accessible to 80+ regions.
Drives Higher Revenue
There are more international tourists — and they’re spending more. In 2023, tourists spent 30% more than the previous year.
When you offer your services in languages that tourists can understand, they’re more likely to buy more from you.
Picture a multilingual menu in a restaurant. A tourist is likely to try more dishes if they can read what they’re tasting.
Improves Your Brand Image and Customer Satisfaction
When you demonstrate cultural sensitivity, you show your customers that you care about their needs. This grows your reputation as a customer-centric company.
It also builds trust and loyalty. Satisfied customers are repeat customers.
For example, you’re more likely to suggest a tour to your friends and family at home if it’s in a language they understand.
How to Incorporate Multilingual Communication into Tourism Businesses
If you want to attract global travelers, you need multilingual communication.
But how do you insert this into your business?
Here’s how:
1. Marketing and Outreach
In marketing, if you want to reach a target audience, you have to speak to them in their voice.
When it comes to international tourists, this rule is quite literal. Reach out to them in their language.
Create marketing materials in multiple foreign languages. This helps foreign speakers find your company and understand your services more easily.
Think about it. A Spanish speaker wouldn’t Google “best tour guides in New York”. They’d search for “los mejores guías turísticos de Nueva York”.
Consider all of your marketing channels and handouts, such as:
- Brochures and pamphlets
- Digital and traditional ads
- Social media accounts
- Website and blogs
- Email campaigns
2. Documentation and Pre-Travel Support
Reduce confusion and anxiety by producing travel documents in the customer’s native language.
Multilingual itineraries, booking confirmations, and pre-travel guides help travelers prepare for their journey.
This means fewer misunderstandings — and a lower chance that someone will miss their plane!
3. Hospitality
Onsite communication and guest relations play a vital role in a customer’s travel experience.
Multilingual support offers a more welcoming and inclusive environment for international travelers. Multilingual signage, welcome packs, and brochures help guests access information to improve their stay.
It’s also wise to train staff to speak basic conversational phrases in multiple languages. This helps guests feel heard and understood throughout the experience.
Don’t forget to translate feedback forms, too. If you want good reviews, you need to equip your customers with the tools to offer their opinions.
4. Local Navigation
Help tourists navigate so they’re confident about exploring unfamiliar places.
For hotels and hostels, you might provide maps and audio guides in multiple languages. This gives customers the confidence to navigate independently.
Tour operations companies might offer tour guide services in different languages.
Take Band of Brothers tours in Normandy, for example.
The guides are fluent in both French and English. Speaking French means they can communicate with locals with authentic stories. And thanks to the dual-language experience, they offer comprehensive tours to both domestic and international tourists.
How to Get Started with Multilingual Communication
Want to offer a multi-lingual travel experience?
Here’s what to do.
1. Figure Out Your Linguistic Needs
Start by working out the key languages your audience speaks.
Try surveying your past guests and putting a poll out to your social media followers.
Focus on translating into these first before working out the new markets you want to enter.
2. Choose Professional Translation Services
Invest in professional language translation services.
Human interpreters offer the most accurate translation since they understand and accommodate for cultural subtleties.
3. Train Your Staff for Multilingual Interaction
Teach your staff basic language skills so they can connect with international guests. Enroll them in courses, find language-learning apps, and host training workshops.
Help your staff offer customers the best experience from the get-go.
When guests book to use your services, have them select a language preference. Save this information for marketing purposes, so you can reach out to customers later in the language they prefer.
For example, if you run an accommodation business, the best CRM software for hotels will store customer language preferences. When customers arrive to check in, your staff will know how to talk to them from the get-go.
Wrap Up
Multilingual communication drives tourism. It bridges language barriers, so travel feels straightforward and inclusive.
But don’t simply translate. You need culturally-sensitive communications that acknowledge native nuances.
This is where professional human translation services shine.
Partner with Day Translations today and guide your tourists with comfort and ease.
Author Bio:
Kelly Moser
Kelly Moser is the co-founder and editor at Home & Jet, digital magazine for the modern era. She’s also the content manager at Login Lockdown, covering the latest trends in tech, business and security. Kelly is an expert in freelance writing and content marketing for SaaS, Fintech, and ecommerce startups.