How to support international guests at your accommodation
International guests may need information in another language, directions or help with timings and services. Nationality does not determine spending or how demanding someone will be: prepare support around specific needs.
If you welcome travellers from other countries, review how you present the accommodation and what support you can genuinely offer. Clear communication reduces questions before and during the stay.
Would you like your accommodation to welcome more international travellers? Read on for some practical tips.
7 tips for attracting international travellers to your holiday apartment
1. Advertise on international platforms
Review which channels your guests use and which suit your accommodation, costs and operations. Compare options such as Vrbo, Booking.com and Airbnb before opening another listing.
To manage them together and avoid booking errors, you can use a channel manager. This software brings your listings together in one place.
2. Offer secure payment options
Explain clearly how payment works and use methods accepted by the booking channel. On your own website, display terms and contact details and use an appropriate payment gateway; do not request full card details through messages.
Paying by card does not remove the risk of fraud. HTTPS encrypts the connection but does not, on its own, prove that a website is legitimate. Check the domain, business identity and payment conditions; for platform bookings, keep the process within authorised channels.
3. Translate your listings into guests’ languages
Attracting international travellers requires good communication. To achieve that, use a language they understand.
Translate descriptions and the most frequently consulted instructions. Prioritise languages found in your bookings and enquiries, without assuming someone’s preferences from their country of origin.
4. Use simple language
Use simple language, whether in Spanish or another language. Avoid colloquialisms, idioms, irony and metaphors that may confuse readers.
Anyone reading your listing, whether or not they speak the language, will find it easier to translate if it is straightforward. One useful check is to see whether an automatic translator produces a coherent version of what you have written.
5. Reply in their language
Not every owner speaks several languages or has a translator or friend available to help.
A translation tool can provide support. Write simple sentences and check dates, amounts, access details and rules especially carefully; if an important point is unclear, confirm that both parties have understood the same thing.
You can anticipate travellers’ questions. Prepare answers to the most common questions and keep them ready.
6. Use clear, appealing photographs
Even when you try to communicate in international guests’ language, you may not get every point across. Images are a simple, effective way to help.
Show clear, detailed photographs of every room. Add as many good-quality images as each platform allows. They will answer many of your guests’ questions.
7. Consider an international traveller’s needs
Ask what information the guest needs and communicate your support and arrival hours with their time zone where necessary. Do not promise round-the-clock availability if you cannot provide it.
Prepare the advertised essentials, such as towels or a hairdryer, and explain how equipment works. Ask about specific needs without assuming cultural habits or preferences. State which requests you can meet and which you cannot.
These tips help travellers understand your offer and prepare for their stay. Commercial results also depend on demand, price, availability and the experience you provide.
If you would like to delegate this support, ask how Alehost can organise messages and incident handling for your accommodation. Before agreeing the service, clarify the included languages, hours and channels.
Make arrival easier
Prepare a message with the address, access instructions, local arrival time and help contact in the languages you can support. Discover Alehost’s guest support.
