Being in the hospitality and travel industry, you don’t need us to tell you that doing business with people from varying backgrounds, cultures, and languages happens on a daily basis. Also, these industries are usually competitive, and you rarely want to see customers take their business elsewhere. What should you keep in mind when considering translation for hospitality and travel as an industry area?
Well, first off, does your travel agency, hotel, cruise line, vacation rental, etc. have the proper means to conduct business with an international guest who may speak little to no English? If the answer is no, and your area is full of culturally diverse visitors, you are likely already giving business to your competitors. So, how do you better accommodate guests who speak foreign languages or employees hired to assist these guests?
To provide service above and beyond your customers’ and clients’ expectations, and to stay ahead of the competition, you should consider having available paperwork, signage, and marketing material translated into the appropriate language(s).
What Does My Business Need Translated?
For your industry, translating the following things will better help your company assist its customers and employees:
- Menus
- Signs
- Help-desk documentation
- Policy terms
- Documents for workers who speak other languages
- HR documentation
- Immigration or citizenship paperwork
- Brochures
- Contract paperwork
- Reports
- Public relations materials
- Legal documentation
- Online software or databases
Who Should Translate My Materials?
While translating your hotel’s signage and important paperwork, you want a correct interpretation of certain rule or directions. If the translation is not clear, your guest will likely get confused. Confusion due to a less-than-stellar translation will often result in embarrassment for your customer. This can cause you to lose this guest, or anger them so that they do not return to your hotel or, even worse, leave a bad review (something you do not want). This often occurs after you’ve accepted language services at a steeply discounted rate. But you’ll get what you pay for – this is the kind of translation for hospitality and travel to avoid.
Even worse, you do not want to run the risk of a bad translation offending a potential customer. This happens all too often when someone who is not knowledgeable in the language performs a translation. Those online “quick and easy” translation tools and generators that only translate word for word also cause confusions that can cost you potential business. The truth of the matter is, that fast and simple translations do not exist. You may feel enticed by the claim of quick and low-cost translation, but this is not where you want to cut corners. For a seamless translation from one language to another, you want to ensure you use the correct method.
Why Professional Translation Services Are the Best
Professional translators aim to use their vast knowledge of a culture (or two), and the expert software they have at their disposal, to provide an accurate translation of all your business materials. These experts provide your company with something that a machine cannot –understanding of the context and the industry. If you want to open your doors to guests worldwide and become known as a business that accommodates their customers in every way possible, lean on a professional translation service.
