A well-meaning official manual for tourist industry workers, instructing them how to cater to the needs of foreigners during UK visits, has been accused of racially stereotyping the very people it aims to please.
VisitBritain, the government’s agency with a budget of nearly £30 million a year, which is tasked with bringing as many visitors to the UK as possible, releases a detailed inside guide on tourists from most destinations for use by British hoteliers and operators.
It does not appear that government officials considered that actual tourists might get their hands on the open-access documents – only to see themselves portrayed as demanding, irrational, and odd in very country-specific ways.
For example, Russians “may come across as cold and not very open or polite”, while “spending more than they can afford” during their sojourn to the UK.
This “tall nation” will be disappointed by the size of hotel rooms in London, so any hoteliers are advised that the “ceilings and doorways should better be of a suitable height.” Full story...
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VisitBritain, the government’s agency with a budget of nearly £30 million a year, which is tasked with bringing as many visitors to the UK as possible, releases a detailed inside guide on tourists from most destinations for use by British hoteliers and operators.
It does not appear that government officials considered that actual tourists might get their hands on the open-access documents – only to see themselves portrayed as demanding, irrational, and odd in very country-specific ways.
For example, Russians “may come across as cold and not very open or polite”, while “spending more than they can afford” during their sojourn to the UK.
This “tall nation” will be disappointed by the size of hotel rooms in London, so any hoteliers are advised that the “ceilings and doorways should better be of a suitable height.” Full story...
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