Germany attracts millions of international tourists every year with its many sights, rich culture and natural beauty This is why landlords of holiday accommodation should be well prepared for guests from abroad - especially if the property is located in a popular holiday region Of course, every guest is individual, but there are often relevant differences between groups of guests from different countries In this article, we provide helpful tips for international holiday home guests to help you deal with all guests equally well.
The most important holidaymaker target groups for Germany
The two most important international visitor groups for Germany come from our two neighbouring countries, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Tourists from the USA follow in third place. They all particularly appreciate Germany's rich culture, history, technology and modern cities.
The international guest groups differ in terms of age, income, level of education and purpose of travel. European guests are often comparatively older and on average have a relatively high income and level of education. They often go on cultural holidays or travel to visit friends and family. Guests from the USA, on the other hand, are generally younger, have a medium to high income and are often travelling to Germany for work or sightseeing.
As a host, you can actively help to ensure that the various international guests feel at home with you and that your holiday home is optimally designed for your guests.
Communication with international guests
When greeting your guests, you should always be friendly and open in order to make a positive first impression. If you don't speak your guests' language, you can usually get by with English. Not 100 per cent proficient in English either? No problem! Learn the most important phrases with the help of online translators such as Google Translate or DeepL and write them down just in case. If you feel confident, you can of course also try this with other languages so that you can even converse with your guests in their native language. Also make sure that the guest folder and house rules are available in English and use simple, easy-to-understand language. Pictures can help to clarify the information. Be prepared to help guests with any problems or questions they may have. Think proactively in advance about what questions might arise. This could include topics such as currency exchange, local customs or contact information for emergencies. It is best to put the relevant information in the guest folder.
If you find out about the culture of the respective guest in advance, you can prevent any cultural misunderstandings. It is important that you inform your guests about your house rules, even if you take certain rules of behaviour for granted. After all, there may be differences in other countries.
Customisation for the respective guest group
Think about what needs your international guests might have and find out about any peculiarities of the respective culture. Make sure that your accommodation is adapted to such peculiarities, for example by providing a universal adapter. The brochures and information you provide about the region should be available in different languages. These can be obtained from your local tourist information centre. Another aspect you should consider as a landlord is that your foreign guests may have different travel and time schedules. Delays can occur, especially for holidaymakers travelling from further away. It is therefore best to offer flexible check-in and check-out times to accommodate your guests. Also put together some ‘basics’ of food and amenities that your guests can use when they arrive at your holiday home.
Conclusion
Good preparation is the be-all and end-all to ensure that the various international guests feel comfortable with you. Always focus on open and friendly communication, provide information in English or, at best, in the guests' native language, and take cultural differences into account. Of course, nobody is infallible, but empathetic and sensitive behaviour towards guests is often half the battle! This way, guests from abroad can also spend an unforgettable holiday in your accommodation that they will remember fondly.
