Hospitality Industry

Types of Hotels. Classification of Hotels by Type

 

Hotels are classified according to the hotel size, location, target markets, levels of service, facilities, number of rooms, ownership and affiliation etc.

 Size - Or number of rooms:

Under 150 rooms

150 to 299 rooms

300 to 600 rooms

More than 600 rooms

These categories enable hotels of similar size to compare operating procedures and statistical results.

Target Markets

Hotel target many markets and can be classified according to their location and length of stay as these factors influence the guests the hotels attract.

Based on location

City center Generally located in the heart of city within a short distance from business center, shopping arcade.

Airport Hotels these types of hotels typically target business clientele, airline passengers with overnight travel layovers or cancelled flights and airline personnel. Some hotels might give free transport between hotel and airport. Some hotels also provide meeting facilities to attract guests who travel to a meeting by air and wish to minimize ground travel. Another attraction of these hotels is instead of charging the guest on a daily basis guest can also pay for their room on an hourly basis.  

Floating hotels are located on river, sea or big lakes.

Boatels House boat hotels are referred as boatels, which offer luxurious accommodation to travelers.

Conference Centers this type of hotels focus on meeting and conferences and overnight accommodation for meeting attendees. They also provide high quality audiovisual equipments, business services, flexible seating arrangements, flipchart etc. These hotels mostly located outside the metropolitan areas and have facilities like golf, swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, spas etc.

Based on the Length of Stay

Transient Hotel The main categories of hotels are transient, resort, and residential. Hotels are classed as “mainly transient” when at least 75 % of their guests are not permanent residents. The guest in a typical transient hotel can expect a room with private bath, telephone, radio, and television, in addition to such customer services as laundry, valet, and cleaning and pressing. These are where guest stays for a day or even less, they are often five star hotels. The occupancy rate is usually very high. These hotels are often situated near airport.

Extended Stay Hotels Extended stay hotels is somewhat similar to the suite hotels, but usually offers kitchen amenities in the room. These kinds of hotels are for travelers who want to stay more than a week and do not want to depend on the service of the hotel. Extended service hotels usually do not provide any F&B service or laundry service etc. These kind of hotels are considered by guests as “Home away from home”.

Apartment Hotels Apartment/Residential hotels provide long-term or permanent accommodation for guest. Usually guest makes a lease agreement with the hotel for minimum of one month up to a year. These lease agreements are renewed on a yearly basis. Guest rooms generally include living room, bedroom, kitchen, private balcony, washing machines, kitchen utensils etc. Residential hotel also provided housekeeping, laundry, telephone and in some hotels a restaurant and lounge etc. will be present on the premises.

Bed and Breakfast Hotels These are houses with rooms converted into overnight facilities, this can size up to 20 to 30 guest rooms. They are also known as “Home Stay’s”. The owner of the B&B usually stays on the premises and is responsible for serving breakfast to guest. Due to the limited services offered at these hotels the price for room is less than at any full service hotel.

Timeshare and Condominium Hotels Another new type or segment of the hospitality industry is the timeshare hotels. These are sometimes referred to as “Vacation-interval” hotels. Timeshare hotels are where the guests who purchase the ownership of accommodations for a specific period. These owners may also have the unit rented out by the management company that operates the hotel. Condominium is similar to timeshare but the difference between the two lies in the type of ownership. Units in condominium hotels only have one owner instead of multiple owners, each for a limited amount of time each year. In a condominium hotel, an owner informs the management company if when he/ she wants to occupy the unit.

Based on Target Market

Commercial hotels are situated in the heart of the city in busy commercial areas so as to get good and high business. They cater mostly businessmen.

Convention Centers or convention hotels are larger in size compared to conference centers and likely to have more than 1500 rooms. These hotels are huge and have sufficient number of guest rooms to house all the attendees of most conventions, even the size of the meeting rooms, ball rooms, exhibit rooms are quite huge. They usually cater to convention market for state, regional, national, and international associations.

 Resort Hotels Resort hotels are usually located in the mountains, on an island, or in some other exotic locations away from cities. These hotels have recreational facilities, scenery, and golf, tennis, sailing, skiing and swimming. Resort hotels provide enjoyable and memorable guest experiences that encourage guest to repeat the visit to the resort.

Business Hotels These hotels are the largest group of hotel types and cater primarily to business travelers and usually located in downtown or business districts. Although Business hotels primarily serve business travelers, many tour groups, individual tourists and small conference groups find these hotels attractive. Guest amenities at business hotels may include complimentary newspapers, morning coffee, free local telephone calls, breakfast etc. In addition to these facilities like access to business centre, personal computer, Wi-Fi and fax machines are also provided to the guest.

Suite Hotels these kinds of hotels are the latest trend and the fastest growing segments in the hotel industry. Main attraction of these hotels is guestrooms with a living room and a separate bedroom. In exchange for more complete living room suite hotels generally have fewer and more limited public areas and guest services than other hotels. This also helps keep suite hotel’s guestroom prices competitive in the market. Professionals such as accountants, lawyers, businessmen and executives find suite hotels particularly attractive as they can work and also entertain in an area besides the bedroom.

 Casino Hotels. Hotels with gambling facilities may be categorized as a distinct group called Casino Hotels. Although the food and beverage operations in casino are luxurious, their functions is secondary to and supportive of casino operations. Casino hotels attract guest by promoting the gambling and other entertainments.

    

      Levels Of service

World class service These are also called luxury hotels, they target top business executives, entertainment celebrities, high- ranking political figures, and wealthy clientele as their primary markets. They provide upscale restaurants and lounges, concierge services and also private dining facilities. Guestrooms are oversized, heated and plush bath towels, large soaps bars, shampoo, shower caps and all amenities. Housekeeping services are given two times a day including turn-down service. Above all luxury hotels give personalized service to the guest and have a relatively high ration of staff members to guests.

Mid-Range Service Hotels offering mid-range service appeal to the largest segment of the traveling public. This kind of hotels does not provide elaborate service and have an adequate staffing. They also provide uniformed service, food and beverage room service, in room entertainment's and also Wi-Fi. Property may offer a specialty restaurant, coffee shop and lounge that cater to visitors as well as hotel guests. Types of guests who like to stay at these hotels are business people, individual travelers, and families. Rates are lower than luxury hotels as they provide fewer services, smaller rooms and a smaller range of facilities and recreational activities.

Economy / Limited Service These hotels provide clean, comfortable, safe, inexpensive rooms and meet the basic need of guests. Economy hotels appeal primarily to budget minded travelers who wants a room with minimum services and amenities required for comfortable stay, without unnecessary paying additional cost for costly services. The cliental of these hotels include families with children, traveling business people, backpackers, vacationers, retirees etc. These types of hotels might not offer food and beverage facilities.

 Ownership and Affiliations

Ownership and affiliation provide another means by which to classify hotel property. There are two types one is individual and another is chain hotel.

Independent Hotels They do not have identifiable ownership or management affiliation with other properties. That means these properties don’t have any relationship to another hotel regarding policies, procedures, marketing or financial obligations. Example for the same would be family owned and operated hotel that is not following any corporate policies or procedures. The advantage of an individual property is its autonomy. An independent hotel however does not get the advantage of broad advertising exposure or management insight and consultancy of an affiliated property.

Chain hotels This kind of ownership usually imposes certain minimum standards, rules, policies and procedures to restrict affiliate activities. In general the more centralized the organization the stronger the control over the individual property. Some chains have strong control over the architecture, management and standards of affiliate properties. Others concentrate only on marketing, advertising and central purchasing.

Based on Theme

Depending on theme hotel may be classified into Heritage hotels, Ecotels, Boutique hotels and Spas.

Heritage hotel In this hotel a guest is graciously welcomed, offered room that have their own history, serve traditional cuisine and are entertained by folk artist. These hotels put their best efforts to give the glimpse of their region. Example: Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur.

Ecotels are environmentally friendly hotels. These hotel use eco friendly items in the room. Example: Orchid Mumbai is Asian first and most popular five star ecotel.

Boutique hotels This hotel provides exceptional accommodation, furniture in a themed and stylish manner and caters to corporate travelers. Example: in India the Park Bangalore is a boutique hotel.

Spas are resorts which provide therapeutic bath and massage along with other features of luxury hotels, in India Ananda Spa in Himalaya is the most popular Spa.

1 Translate  words and word combinations  from English into  Ukrainian and use them in your own sentences

 Location; to target; length of stay; shopping arcade; clientele; on an hourly basis; overnight accommodation; flipchart; amenities; valet; laundry service; permanent; on the premises; condominium; to purchase; timeshare; ownership; to cater; recreational facilities; scenery; complimentary; downtown; competitive; accountant; lawyer; executive; gambling; luxurious; entertainment celebrity; oversized; turn-down service; backpacker; vacationer; retiree; affiliation; advertising exposure; purchasing; folk; to give the glimpse of; therapeutic.

2 Comprehension questions

1.     How many criteria for hotel classification can you name?

2.     What special facilities do conference centers and airport hotels provide for business travelers?

3.     What special attractions do airport hotels have?

4.     What do transient hotels offer? What is the difference between airport hotel and transient hotel?

5.     What kind of hotel is seen by guests as their “home”?

6.     In what hotel can guests cook their own meals?

7.     Where can guests have their own private balcony, washing machines, etc?

8.     How long can guests stay at apartment hotels?

9.     How are apartment hotels different from residential hotels?

10. What services do bed and breakfast hotels offer?

11. What is the difference between condominium and timeshare hotels?

12. What hotels cater businessmen?

13. Where are resort hotels usually situated?

14. What categories of travelers do business hotels serve?

15. What is the purpose of casino hotels?

16. What class of clients do luxury hotels attract?

17. What classes of hotels can be singled out on the basis of affiliation?

18. What advantages does each type of hotels have?

19. What are the classes of hotels depending on theme?

20. What services are offered at Spa?

3 Say if the following statements are true according to the text.

1.     There are no hotels that have more than 600 rooms.

2.     City center hotels are ideal for shoppers.

3.     If the flight is cancelled passengers and airline personnel can spend time in airport hotels.

4.     Airport hotels charge guests on daily basis.

5.     Business people can find audiovisual equipments in airport hotels.

6.     All conference centers are located in city centers.

7.     All conference centers have facilities like golf, swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, spas.

8.     Transient hotels are often expensive.

9.     Transient hotels offer kitchen amenities in the room.

10. Extended stay hotels are for travelers who do not want to depend on the service of the hotel.

11. Apartment hotels have no minimum requirements concerning the length of stay.

12. Housekeeping is provided at apartment hotels.

13. At bed and breakfast hotels owners cook and serve breakfast to the guests.

14. Bed and breakfast hotels are not expensive because the quality of service there is often poor.

15. Owner of condominium hotel can occupy the unit any time he/she want.

16. Tourists come to resort hotels for recreation and beautiful scenery.

17. Breakfasts are not served at business hotels.

18. Guestroom is the main attraction of suite hotels.

19. Suite hotels are not expensive.

20. Casino hotels offer limited and cheap service.

21. Families with children would stay at economy hotel.

22. Heritage hotels are environmentally friendly.

23. Boutique hotels serve traditional cuisine.

4 Explain the following acronyms used in the text:   F&B, B&B.

5 Study the vocabulary below and then fill in the gaps in the sentences. Remember to

use the correct form of the verbs.

turnover / first-class facilities / basic amenities / international clientele / intimate atmosphere / refurbish / central-booking system / budget accommodation / occupancy rate / develop customer loyalty / in transit / franchise / a no-show / medium range establishments / package deal / choice location / within easy access / overnight stay / family-run / continental breakfast / overlook

a) The superb luxury hotels in London offer …… to their ……

b) Airport hotels usually provide overnight accommodation for people ……

c) The …… contract allows an independent hotelier to benefit from the brand, reputation

and financial security of a well-known chain.

d) Several of the rooms in the resort hotel …… the sea.

e) Hoteliers are adamant about receiving compensation when …… occurs.

f) Many hoteliers nowadays are determined to increase their …… in spite of the difficult economic situation.

g) The London Tourist Board provides an excellent …… for advance reservations.

h) Many bed-and-breakfast establishments are ……

i) Four-star hotels usually enjoy a …… and are …… of the main tourist attractions.

j) The aim of hotel managers is to …… and increase their ……

k) The hotel has recently been …… so as to offer an …… much to the delight of the

regulars.

l) Young people would prefer to stay in …… so as to have more money to spend on

sightseeing.

m) Motels offer …… for travelers and are ideal for an ……

n) The hotels belonging to a 2-star chain are …… and a …… is included in the room

rates.

o) A …… can include transport, transfer to and from the hotel and full or half board.

6 Recommend the hotel to the travelers and tourists. Justify your choice:

	Jack is  an outgoing and energetic student from London, England. He’s going to Australia on a 2-week holiday. He wants to travel up the East Coast. Jack likes backpacking. He enjoys meeting new people, comfort is not important for him.
	Jessica is a young and popular actress. She travels with her stylist and chef. Jessica loves luxury and good service.
	Folk dancers from Zaporizhya are traveling to dance festival in Berlin. They do not have sponsors. They need to change buses in Poland. Dancers will have to spend night in Poland.
David is 70 years old. He worked as a dentist all his life. Now he likes travelling David is fond of arts and crafts, he enjoys talking to local residents, learning new things about the culture and art of his destination.

Mr. Garbett is a top manger at Ramber Ltd. He’s traveling to London to meet his business partners. His partners are coming to London from Paris. They need to discuss details of new contract.

7 Look at the phrasal verbs below.

cut down on (sth) / look forward to / put forward / cater for / look into / point out / back up / turn into

Replace the words in italics with a suitable phrasal verb from above. Remember to put the verbs into the correct forms.

a) The hotel has had to reduce its staff due to a fall in its occupancy rate.

b) It’s the third time the head receptionist has told you there was a mistake on Mr

Jameson’s file.

c) Many towels have disappeared recently ; the housekeeper asked the chambermaids

to examine this situation.

d) The season has been so hard! The staff are waiting for their holidays impatiently.

e) Private investors are transforming this old mansion so as to create a spa hotel.

i) After refurbishment the hotel will receive essentially upmarket customers.

g) During the heads of departments meeting, the restaurant manager supported the

head chef’s idea of a new summer menu.

h) Hiring a female pastry chef was also suggested by the head chef.

Understanding the gist of a written text. Read the text carefully.

Top AA-listed hotels in Great Britain and Ireland

       The CatererSearch AA hotel listing gives all the AA's top-rated red-star hotels across all categories in Great Britain and Ireland.  There are currently 79 five-star AA-listed hotels in the UK, of which the majority are in England. The number of four-star hotels in Britain and Ireland total 585 and 1,665 hotels fall into the three-star category.

STAR STANDARDS

       Red star (as opposed to black star) hotels represent the most outstanding examples in each star category

One star – Staff provide a prompt, polite and informal service. The majority of  rooms are en suite and there is a designated eating area serving breakfast everyday and dinner most evenings.

Two star – Staff are smartly presented and provide a well-informed service. Rooms are generously proportioned. Breakfast and dinner are available seven days a week.

Three star – An ample number of easily identified staff, who are able to anticipate requirements. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. Meals are cooked and presented to a good standard, using good quality ingredients.

Four star – Attentive staff provide a very good level of service. At least half of the rooms will have an en suite bath and a shower. At least one restaurant offering a good range of hot and cold skillfully prepared food.

Five star – Impeccably dressed staff provide attentive and unobtrusive service. All bedrooms will have an en suite bathroom with a bath and thermostatically controlled shower. Meals are cooked and presented to an excellent standard using high quality ingredients.

Under the new common standards, accommodation is assessed under three broad categories: hotel, guest accommodation and budget hotel. Hotels and guest accommodation are both rated using a star system (which carries different criteria for each of the two sectors). Each category is sub-divided into sub-categories depending on the type of accommodation. Budget hotels are assessed but not awarded stars.

Source: CatererSearch (20 December 2006)

1 Match the class of hotel to its description

5-star	a)     Formal, large hotels, with top-notch service. There will usually be other hotels of the same caliber clustered nearby, as well as shopping, dining and entertainment. Above-average service, beautifully furnished rooms, restaurants, room service, valet parking, fitness center and a concierge are some amenities to expect.
4-star	b)    These hotels are generally part of a chain that offers consistent quality and limited amenities. They are small or medium in size and rooms will have a phone and TV. While you will not have the convenience of room service, there should be a small restaurant on site.
3-star	c)     Expect a small hotel managed and operated by the owner. The atmosphere will be more personal and the accommodations basic. Restaurant service should be within walking distance, as well as nearby public transportation, major intersections and entertainment that is reasonable in price.
2-star	d)    Usually located near a major expressway, business center and/or shopping area, these hotels offer nice, spacious rooms and decorative lobbies. On-site restaurants may be average in size but will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Valet and room service, a small fitness center and a pool are often available.
1-star	e)     A luxurious hotel, offering the highest degree of personal service. Elegance and style abound, and rooms are equipped with quality linens, VCR, CD stereo, jacuzzi tub and in-room video. There are multiple restaurants on site with extensive, gourmet menus, and room-service is also available 24-7. A fitness center, valet parking and concierge service round out the experience.

2 Find information about AA on their web site : http://www.theaa.com/

3 Choose 3 hotels you know very well and find out how many stars they would be awarded by AA? Justify.

HOTEL CLASS

Hotel star ratings are general quality indicators and should be regarded as just that - broad guidelines in measuring a hotel’s general quality, amenities, and customer satisfaction; ratings are not meant to be perfectly precise critiques. All the amenities and services that a resort offers may not necessarily be reflected in star ratings. Due to differing parameters and criteria from resort to resort, along with the incredibly wide range of customer preferences and individual expectations, and stating the fact that these ratings are general in nature, Area Travel International cannot guarantee exact accuracy in every element of all ratings.

Five Star: Exceptional. Five-star hotels are characterized by the best in luxury, service, location, fine dining with exquisite menus and often-famous chefs, and exceptional convenience and comfort. They achieve excellence in every facet of hospitality and are known for their superb craftsmanship in architecture, landscaping, interior design, and exquisite taste. This elegant ambience carries throughout the rooms, lobbies, facilities, and outer grounds. The highest quality linens, bedding, flooring, and amenities are used. Expect high-speed internet access, CD/DVD sound systems (mostly but not always), and 24-hour room service, along with gourmet dining, butler service in some hotels, and original wall art, flowers, and elegant room decor. Generally offered are special guest access to golf courses, luxury spa services on site, the latest in fitness center and gym facilities, tennis courts, and several multiple-purpose pools, concierge services and complete hotel services. These hotels may be larger (most commonly the case) or smaller for certain intimate luxury properties. Excellent business centers and meeting facilities are usually present in the larger properties. Landscaping and grounds are elegantly designed and meticulously groomed.

luxury 5-star hotels	These top-of-the-line hotels offer the highest level of service and comfort, sure to please even the most discriminating tastes. Guests enjoy top-notch amenities, elegant accommodations and a superior hotel experience.
distinctive  4.5-star hotels	Guests can expect attentive service, premium amenities, and stylish accommodation from these polished hotels. Unique touches will make stay memorable. Some 4.5-star hotels may offer optional amenities at an additional cost, such as spa services.
elite 4-star hotels	These distinguished establishments offer a consistently high level of service. Access to deluxe amenities will make your stay comfortable and convenient. Some 4-star hotels may make optional amenities available at an additional cost.
quality 3.5-star hotels	These quality hotels feature an enhanced level of service and comfort compared to similar establishments in the 3-star category. Guests have access to a range of amenities with occasional fees.
mid-scale  3-star hotels	These mid-range hotels offer a relaxed and inviting environment. Extra amenities and clean rooms will make your stay comfortable.
casual comfort 2.5-star hotels	These clean and comfortable establishments offer more than just the basics. Limited service makes your stay affordable without compromising on quality.
economy  2-star hotels	These wallet-friendly establishments offer clean, basic accommodations for the budget-conscious traveler. You'll have access to limited services and amenities, often free of charge.
basic 1-star hotels	These affordable establishments offer clean, no-frills accommodation with minimal on-site facilities. Rooms are usually small and functionally decorated. Off-site dining options at casual restaurants are often located within walking distance.

Four Star: Superior. Four-star hotels are very upscale accommodations, offering excellent restaurants, fine dining, bars, lounges, and complete room service. High-quality construction, very personalized service, contemporary furnishings, valet parking, and many other major hotel services are available. Concierge services, fitness centers and spas, and high quality linens, bedding, flooring, and amenities are used. There are usually several spacious and well-maintained pools. Excellent service and careful attention to details also typify a four-star hotel. These hotels may also have business relationships with golf courses and other recreation sites, resulting in special rates for guests. Excellent business centers and meeting facilities are usually present. Comfort and convenience of guests are the staff’s prime concern. Landscaping and grounds are beautifully groomed and well laid-out.

Three Star: First Class. Three-star hotels are markedly upgraded to include more spacious guest rooms with quality amenities, good dining service on-site, usually a pool and fitness center, well-laid out lobbies, and variable room service. These first-class mid-scale properties offer other amenities such as valet parking and on-site medical services are typically available. Meeting and conference facilities for business groups or family reunions are sometimes available in three-star resorts. Usually the grounds are well manicured and aesthetically pleasing.

Two Star: Value. Two-star hotels also are identified by basic and clean accommodations, with some business services (typically without meeting rooms), bellhop service, and fairly complete fitness and recreation facilities. In-hotel restaurants have limited menus and typically consist of continental breakfast service. Small to medium size properties are the norm, with convenient proximity to medium-priced attractions. Rooms have comfortable accommodations and typically include telephones, TV, and a few other basic amenities; room service and baggage service are usually not included. Basic landscaping and grounds care.

One Star: Economy. One-star hotels are characterized by basic, clean, and simple accommodations, usually a budget-traveler’s basic needs. Rooms are generally small and amenities are more needs driven than wants-based. Most will not have on-site restaurants, may not have a private bathroom, an in-room telephone, or other amenities. Limited hours may apply to public access and guest reception. Hotel locations may be near affordable attractions, public transportation, and major streets or population centers, usually within walking distance of good restaurants.

Half-star ratings. Half-star increments can be used to augment the precision of five-star scale. There are so many varieties and choices among property types, amenities, and services, and guest preferences; the use of a half-star gives additional clarity and precision to overall ratings.

1 Now use as many of these words as you can to write your own description of the ideal hotel in terms of its staff and service.

Sofitel Hotels Named “Best Hotel Chain in Europe”

Sofitel, with over 200 prestige hotels worldwide, has been chosen by the readers of Business Traveler magazine as the “Best Hotel Chain in Europe” at its 2006 Best in Business Travel Awards, beating out frontrunners Marriott and Starwood Hotels for the top slot.

Sofitel’s around the world embrace a unique appreciation for the art de vivre à la française (French art of living), which is embodied in the hotels’ high standards of service, alluring design, gourmet cuisine and thoughtful amenities. This focus is strengthened by relationships with renowned French personalities, including fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castalbajac, interior designer Pierre Yves Rochon and Michelin-starred chefs.

Located in key business destinations throughout Europe, including London, Paris, Budapest and Brussels, Sofitel offers custom made, ultra-plush MyBed ™ bedding for a restful night’s sleep; wireless and/or high speed Internet access; 24-hour business and fitness centers; quiet library spaces and upscale French and international restaurants. Frequent guests can also choose to enjoy the benefits of the Sofitel Privilège Loyalty Card, which allows them to earn points towards upgrades, free room nights and other special promotions from Sofitel and its partners.

Sofitel is already present in most key business cities around the world, and will continue to expand its network in 2007. Currently, Sofitel is in the midst of its largest-ever expansion of the brand in China and the Asia Pacific region, with new properties slated to open in Beijing, Cairo, Dubai and beyond.

1 Translate  words and word combinations  from English into  Ukrainian and use them in your own sentences

Worldwide; to beat out; frontrunner; top slot; art of living; to embody; alluring design; gourmet cuisine; chef; plush; upscale.

2 Comprehension questions

1)     What special features does Sofitel have?

2)     What service and facilities are offered in the hotels?

3)     What plans does the hotel chain have for future?

4)     Can you give the class of the hotel described in the text?

5)     Why has Sofitel been chosen “Best Hotel Chain in Europe” by the readers of Business Traveler Magazine? Prove your point of view.

6)     What types of guests are drawn to Sofitel hotels? Justify your answer.

7)     How is customer loyalty encouraged?

8)     Where are the hotels located?

9)     What does “key business locations” mean?

                                                                                                     

3 Say if the following statements are true according to the text

1)     Marriott had a chance to get Best in Business Travel Awards.

2)     Sofitel focuses on relations with famous British designers.

3)     MyBed ™ is offered only to business travelers.

4)     Sofitel was given a Michelin star.

5)     There are discounts and special offers for frequent guests.

6)     Tourists can earn points and get free room nights if they stay at the hotel.

7)     Sofitel plans to expand in India.

4 Reword the article using the useful expressions

Analyzing a written text

• Introducing the subject matter: – the article / recording / text / report / survey / analysis … – according to the narrator / speaker / author / writer … – highlights / sheds light on / focuses on / deals with / emphasizes … – a topical question / a sensitive issue / a controversial topic … – the author asserts / claims / maintains …

• Developing ideas: – first(ly) / first of all / to begin with / in the first place … – second(ly) / furthermore / moreover / besides / in addition … – on the one hand … on the other hand … – thus / therefore / as a consequence / as a result … – indeed / in fact / actually / as a matter of fact … – while / whereas / despite …

• Concluding: – finally / lastly … – to recap / to sum up / in short … – in conclusion / to conclude …

• Expressing one’s opinion: – in my opinion / to my mind / as far as I am concerned … – I guess / I believe / I have a feeling that … – it is true to say that … and yet … – I agree with the author’s point of view / inasmuch / insofar as … – I doubt whether / I disagree with … on sthg. – even though / although …

 

 

Tourism and Types of Tourists

        

	Tourist is a person who travels away from home for leisure, business or other purposes for longer than a day e.g. 24 hours but less than a year. An excursionist is a person who arrives at the destination and departs on the same day. Tourists are classified, according to their needs and their reasons for traveling, into four broad categories: 1) business and professional tourist; 2) leisure and holiday tourists; 3) tourists traveling to visit friends and relatives (VFR); 4) youth tourists, including backpackers and gap year travelers. The tourism industry tries to meet the needs of all types of tourists by providing suitable facilities and services for each category. Business tourist’s travel is related to business and the world of work. MESE stands for meetings, exhibitions and special events, these are all part of the business world. All major cities have conference centers that cater for the needs of business tourists. An example of a business tourist would be a salesman who travels to another city to attend a trade show and promote the products he sells.  Education tourists travel to attend a place of learning in another town, city, or country, in order to study for or improve a qualification. They may also be people that attend workshops to learn new skills or improve existing ones. A clinic nurse who travels to another province to attend a workshop about infectious diseases is an example of an educational tourist.  Incentive tourists are people who are rewarded in the form of a company paid holiday for their hard work, or for achieving goals set by their company. This incentive to travel motivates employees to work harder, improves work relationships, and builds team spirit. A salesman who receives a holiday package for achieving the most sales in the company is an example of an incentive tourist.  Health or medical tourists travel because they want to visit a holiday spa, needs medical special treatment that is only available away from home, undergo procedures that are cheaper in another country, or are recovering from an illness in a healthier climate. Many tourist come from oversees countries to South Africa to have plastic surgery.          Adventure tourists want an unusual and exciting experience. They want to participate in activities that may be dangerous, such as rock climbing, river rafting, skydiving, shark cage diving, bungee jumping. Cultural tourists want to experience different cultures, such as San rock art, or cultural related festivals such as the National Art Festival in Grahams-town, or the International Jazz Festival in Cape Town. They would also want to experience the World Heritage Sites in the country. Eco-tourists travel to experience nature such as traveling to Bonita Gardens in  Bloemfontein South Africa. Leisure tourists want to rest and relax and have a break from the usual routine Examples of this type of tourism are a cruise on a cruise liner, a trip on a Blue train, attending a special music special music performance or relaxing on the beach. Religious tourists want to see and experience places of religious importance. There are many religious destinations in the world such as the Hajj in Mecca, Jerusalem in Israel, Varanasi in India, and the Vatican in Rome. During Easter the largest Christian pilgrimage to Zion City, Moria, Limpopo, takes place. More than a million pilgrims travel to Moria to every Easter. Shopping tourists travel to shopping malls, shopping centres, factory shops, crafts market, festivals, and touring shopping routes. Their main purpose is to buy items. Special interest tourists (SIT) have particular interest such as bird watching, food and wine, flowers, fishing during the Sardine Run, or attending the Cape Town Book Fair. Sport and recreation tourists participate in or watch sporting events. Popular events include the Soccer World Cup, Winblendon Tennis Championship, Comrades Marathon, and Fisher River Canoe Marathon. Surfing, mountain climbing, cricket, swimming, golf and tennis are popular sports. Tourists visiting friends and relatives (VFR) want to stay in contact with friends and relatives and travel away from home to visit them. These tourists may travel to attend a wedding, funeral, or birthday celebration of friends or relatives. Backpacking or youth tourists generally have little luggage, are on a budget, want to experience adventure and excitement, tend to travel independently, enjoy meeting other traveler, and have flexible travel schedules. A group of young tourists on a weekend walking tour in the mountains, or a student touring around the country by bus are examples of this group of tourist. Gap year travelers do not study further or enter job opportunity after school, instead they take break called a gap year. They travel, work and earn money, learn new skills or do volunteer work in another country. During this time they gain skills and life experience before starting tertiary education. These young people are also known as “gappers”. To make sure that the needs of all types of tourist are met it is important for travel agents to draw up tourist profile. This is a summary of facts about what tourists want and expect form the travel experience: ·        name; ·        nationality; ·        age; ·        contact details such as address and telephone number; ·        occupation; ·        need and preferences, for, example, adventure, sport one, education; ·        specific requirement such as accommodation, transport, or food; ·        the length of the trip, arrival and departure date. Travel agents prepare tourist profiles of their clients and use the information when arranging trips for them. This will ensure that the specific needs of the tourist are met. 1 Translate  words and word combinations  from English into  Ukrainian and use them in your own sentences Leisure; destination; backpackers; workshop; incentive; rafting; shopping mall; recreation; gap year. 2 Comprehension questions 1.     What is a tourist ? 2.     What business facilities do most cities offer? 3.     What is the purpose of education tourists? 4.     What is incentive? How do incentive trips motivate people? 5.     What reasons to visit other counties do medical tourists have? 6.     Can you give examples of leisure tourism? 7.     What are the popular destinations for religious tourists? 8.     In what sporting events can sport tourists participate? 9.     What does VFR mean? 10. What type of tourism is popular among young people? 11. What information on the client should travel agents include in their summary? 3 Say if the following statements are true according to the text. 1.     Businessmen are not tourists. 2.     Education tourists can attend workshops in other countries. 3.     Health and medical tourists do not travel to find healthier climate. 4.     Adventurous tourism can be dangerous. 5.     Going to art festivals is interesting for eco-tourists. 6.     Leisure tourists want to experience nature. 7.     Bird watching is example of special interest tourism. 8.     Sport and recreation tourists can watch sporting events but cannot participate. 9.     VFR stands for ‘visiting family and relatives’. 10.  Student touring around the country by bus is a gap year tourist. 4 Explain the following acronyms used in tourism: SIT, MESE, VFR. 5 Match the type of tourist with tourism experience  (1) Loves wildlife (A) A wetland sanctuary (2) Enjoys nature (B) The London Marathon (3) Keen on sports (C) Shark cage diving (4) Keen on adventure (D) The White Lions of Timbavati 6 Describe each of the following by giving an example: Cultural tourist; eco-tourist; incentive tourist; gap year traveler. 7 Using the information below draw up a tourist profile for John. You may need to make up some details to complete the profile John Brown, from Sydney, is visiting South Africa for ten days to celebrate his 24th birthday. He wants to experience as many adventure attractions as he can before he returns home on Christmas day. He is a sports science consultant, does not eat meat, and wants to taste some South African food. He wants to take photographs of wildlife and the new friends in the hostels in which he will stay. His back contains all his clothes and sleeping bag. He does not have enough money for fancy restaurant or expensive gifts. He forgot his international driver’s license at home. Name Age Contact details Occupation Needs and preferences: Accommodation: Sport: Photography: Food: Specific requirements Transport: Budget 8 Match the name of the form of tourism with its definition. Translate them 1. ecotourism or sustainable tourism a)     travel to an important religious place 2. educational tourism   b)    tourism involving travel in rugged regions, or adventurous sports such as mountaineering and hiking (trekking) 3. hobby tourism c)     journey given to a worker or group of workers as a reward for good work 4. medical tourism d)    spending your time participating in some sport activities such as skiing, golf and scuba diving or traveling to watch a sport competition or vacationing at the winter home of one’s favourite baseball team, and seeing them play 5. sport tourism day e)     traveling alone or with groups to participate in hobby interests, to meet others with similar interests, or to experience something pertinent to the hobby, for example garden tours or square dance cruises 6. adventure tourism f)      traveling to get medical treatment either that is illegal in one’s country, for example euthanasia, or for advanced care that is not available in one’s own country o in the case that there are long waiting lists in one’s own country or for use of free or cheap health care organizations 7. pilgrimage g)     tourism which has minimal impact on the environment, such as safaris (Kenya) and Rainforests (Belize), or national parks 8. incentive tour h)     traveling to an educational institution, a wooded retreat or some other destination in order to take personal-interest classes, including cooking classes with famous chefs of crafts classes 9 Match the name of the form of tourism and types of tours  with their definitions. Translate them 1)       agritourism a)     wealthy individuals always on vacation, some of them for tax purposes, to avoid being resident in any country 2)       armchair tourism / virtual tourism b)    tourism marketed to those with functional limits or disabilities. Referred to as “Tourism for All” 3)       disaster tourism c)     traveling only to few countries in the region, using one of the countries as the transit point. The country of transit point is usually a country with good transport infrastructure, for example Singapore is the base for tourism for South East Asia due to its strategic location and good transport infrastructure 4)       gambling tourism d)    visiting historical or industrial sites, such as old canals, railways, battlegrounds,etc 5)       inclusive tourism e)     an effort to support independent bookstores by promoting them as a travel destination 6)       space tourism   f)      seeing many operas or concerts during one tour 7)       urban tourism g)     tour or excursion that leaves in the morning and returns the same evening 8)       art museum tourism, h)     space travel by individuals for the purpose of personal pleasure 9)       opera tourism i)       visiting historical or interesting cities, such as London, Paris, Rome, Cairo, Beijing and experiencing their cultural heritages 10)   heritage tourism j)       trip, often to a city or countryside hotel,  that includes Saturday and Sunday 11)   regional tourism k)     not traveling physically, but exploring the world through internet, books, TV, etc 12)   perpetual tourism  l)       visit organized by an airline or tourist resort, where tour operators and journalists can get to know the facilities and services offered 13)   bookstore tourism m)  visits to as  many art museums during the tour as possible 14)   weekend break n)     farm based tourism, helping to support the local agricultural economy 15)   day trip o)    traveling to such places as Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo for the purpose of gambling at the casinos there 16)   familiarization (or ‘fam’) trip p)    traveling to a disaster scene not primarily for helping, but because one finds it interesting to see; it can be a problem if it hinders rescue, relief and repair work