SLIPPERS, cup noodles and fancy condoms are just some items Tasmanian hotels could offer up to cash in on increasing visitor numbers from China, according to a new guide.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Practical Guide to Providing Service to Chinese Guests, released yesterday by the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, aims to advise hospitality providers on how they can get China-ready.
The guide sets out what service providers should say and do when they have Chinese guests, and gives tips on small changes that can be made to enhance the experience.
‘‘The lack of slippers is often identified by Chinese as the most distressing aspect of staying in an Australian hotel,’’ the guide said.
THA general manager Steve Old said he hoped it would become an invaluable tool.
‘‘Like any overseas culture, there are often small things which we Australians overlook or simply aren’t aware of, and these can have a big impact on the quality of a person’s stay in our state,’’ Mr Old said.
‘‘One of the focuses of this guide is to get to the smallest member of ours in the most regional part of Tasmania to make sure that if Chinese or Asian guests come to their venue they know how to service them,’’ Mr Old said.
Chinese visitors to Tasmania increased 50per cent in the year to March, helping the state government towards its goal of 1.5million visitors by 2020.
More than 12 per cent of visitors to the state are from China, making it the state’s biggest international tourism market.
Premier Will Hodgman said he was still hopeful the Chinese president would visit the state this year.
‘‘We’re dedicating a lot of time and effort to ensuring that we do everything possible to secure a visit from the president,’’ Mr Hodgman said.
‘‘We get 20,000 visitors from China each year; that would be shot into the stratosphere if we could get a visit from the president.’’