Holy Week has arrived and so have the tourists! Hotels, restaurants, cafes, rent a car, airlines, transport companies and retail outlets are being inundated with clients. Great news for Mallorca as tourism is its core business. Apart from first-class service, tourists expect that we communicate with them in their own language. They want to feel at home in a foreign country. It is our responsibility as professionals working in the tourism industry to ensure that we have the basic language tools to maintain a conversation.
Can you say that you feel comfortable speaking in English in the following situations?
At a hotel:
Receptionist: “Good morning Sir how can I help you?”
Client: “We have a room reservation.”
Receptionist: “Yes of course, can I have your name please?”
Client: “Sam Walker.”
In the restaurant:
Waiter: “Good evening, Are you ready to order?”
Client: “Yes, Can we have the mussels for starters and hake for main course?”
Waiter: “Of course, and to drink?”
Client: “A bottle of Jose L. Ferrer white wine please.”
In a shoe shop:
Sales Assistant: “Can I help you with anything Madam?”
Client: “Yes, I am looking for size 39 in these shoes please.”
Sales Assistant: “Let me check for you.”
Client: “Thank you.”
At a train station:
Ticket vendor: “Can I help you?”
Client: “Yes, I need a return ticket to Soller please?”
Ticket vendor: “That will be €14.00 please.”
Client: “Here is my credit card.”
Ticket vendor: “Thank you. Here is your return ticket. Have a lovely day.”